8-Bumble Bee Snail
Engina sp.
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: ½"
Color Form: Black, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore, Detritus, Omnivore
Supplements: Calcium, Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Marshall Islands
Family: Buccinidae
The tiny Bumble Bee Snail benefits most marine reef aquariums in big ways. Heralded for their small size and beautiful coloration, Engina sp. can get into small crevices and tight locations between rockwork. Here, they clean away detritus, including uneaten meaty foods and decomposing organisms. This tiny member of the Buccinidae family also burrows into your sand bed, consumes sand-dwelling worms, and helps aerate your substrate. Plus, with its striking black shell, striped in elegant white to yellow bands, the Bumble Bee Snail is indeed beautiful to observe.
For best care, offer ample hiding places with large areas to roam. The Bumble Bee Snail prefers to consume foods off of live rock and deep sand beds where it can forage for food undisturbed. Like other invertebrates, the Bumble Bee Snail is sensitive to copper-based medications, high nitrate levels, and even the slightest fluctuation in water parameters.
Though peaceful, keep in mind that the Bumble Bee Snail is a carnivore. If there is insufficient food, the Bumble Bee Snail may feed on other snails in your aquarium or indiscriminately consume polychaetes whether beneficial or the more troublesome bristleworm. In well-established systems, most Bumble Bee Snails do not require supplemental feeding. However, if sufficient food sources are unavailable, supplement their diet with offerings of meaty foods, including finely chopped brine or mysis shrimp and frozen meaty foods.
The Bumble Bee Snail is extremely difficult to breed in the aquarium, partly because there are no distinguishing characteristics between Bumble Bee Snail sexes.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1/4" to 1/2"
9-Abalone, Tropical
Haliotis sp.
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 3"
Color Form: Clear
Diet: Herbivore
Origin: Asia, Fiji
Family: Haliotidae
The shell of the Abalones of the Haliotis genus is tear-shaped and has an irridescent interior. The mantle has numerous papillae. It is generally nocturnal, finding refuge in holes or crevices in the rocks or coral during the day, and coming out to forage at night, using its foot to glide over the substrate and coral rubble. The foot attaches very firmly, so use extreme caution if attempting to remove it from glass or rocks.
The Abalone is useful in reef aquariums because it eats algae. The Abalone has a calcium-based shell which protects it from most predators, but requires the maintenance of proper calcium levels in the water for proper growth. Nitrates should be kept at low levels and it should never be exposed to copper-based medications.
While its diet is almost exclusively algae, it would benefit from supplementation with dried seaweed, blanched lettuce, spinach, or Spirulina sheets/tablets.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1" to 2"
10- Nerite Snail
Nerita sp.
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 1"
Color Form: Black, Green, Tan
Diet: Herbivore
Supplements: Calcium, Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Caribbean, Pacific Ocean
Family: Mollusca
The Nerite Snail comes from the inner tidal areas of the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans and has a rounded shell. This snail does not grow very large, and the coloration is brown to black. They are wonderful scavengers for reef aquariums as they remain small and with their rounded shells, rarely knock over rocks or corals in the aquarium.
The Nerite Snail does well in an aquarium when provided with ample hiding places and room to forage. Live rock provides algae, cyanobacteria, and diatoms for food, but it also is an effective film algae eater, grazing on other surfaces, such as the sides of the aquarium. It is sensitive to high levels of copper-based medications and will not tolerate high nitrate levels. This is a perfect snail for the reef aquarium because it will not grow too large, and will not disturb corals or rockwork.
The Nerite Snail has no distinguishing characteristics to help differentiate male from female.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1/2" to 1"
11-Chestnut Cowrie
Cypraea spp.
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025, 64-72° F
Color Form: Orange, Tan, White
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Eastern Pacific
Family: Cypraeidae
The Chestnut Cowrie is also referred to as the Date Cowrie with its egg-shaped shell colored orange, tan, brown and white. The opening in the shell has "teeth," which provides protection from predators. The mantle extends through this opening and completely covers the shell unless the snail feels threatened.
The Chestnut Cowrie is native to the deeper and colder ocean waters off the coast of California, from Monterey Bay south to central Baja California. This species of Cowrie is a temperate snail that prefers cooler water temperatures, especially by typical saltwater standards. Although they can tolerate water temperatures up to 72 degreases, they are best suited in temperate aquarium that replicate natural environmental conditions found in Southern California with water temperatures the mid-60°F range.
Provide the Chestnut Cowrie with ample hiding places and sufficient room. It is a nocturnal animal by nature; during the day it is found under rocks or resting on soft corals, and at night it forages for food. An aquarium with live rock provides a good environment where it can graze on algae and diatoms growing there. Although mainly herbivorous, when it becomes larger, it may try and feed on sponges and soft corals. If there is insufficient algae, its diet should be supplemented with dried seaweed, tablets, and flaked foods that are eaten off of the bottom.
It is extremely difficult to breed in captivity, and has no distinguishing characteristics to help differentiate it from its mate. It is very sensitive to high levels of copper-based medications and is rather intolerant of higher nitrate levels.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small/Medium: 1" to 2-1/2"
12-Cowrie, Tiger
Cypraea tigris
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 4"
Color Form: Assorted, Black, Tan, White
Diet: Carnivore
Supplements: Calcium, Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Cypraeidae
The Tiger Cowrie has an egg-shaped, spotted, glossy shell and is in high demand for the rock aquarium. It differs in color depending upon geographical location. While it does not have an operculum to shut when it retracts its mantle into its shell, the opening is lined with "threatening" tooth-like structures. Normally, the mantle will completely cover its shell unless it feels threatened. This helps it keep its lustrous white and brown mottled coloration, while its mantle will appear like a fingerprint of black and gray, with many short papillae over the surface.
In the wild, it can be found under rocks or resting on soft corals during the day, foraging for food mostly at night. The Tiger Cowrie prefers a rock aquarium with hiding places. While small, it will eat some algae and scavenge for scraps, but as an adult, it will eat some anemones, sponges, and soft corals, and is best housed with starfish, sea urchins, and tubeworms in the reef aquarium. Do not house it with Condylactis sp. It needs low nitrate levels and will not tolerate copper-based medications.
The diet of a large Tiger Cowrie should be supplemented with pieces of fish and mussel, and a product such asTetraTips.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3"; Large: 3" to 4"
13-Chestnut Turbo Snail
Turbo castanea
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 2"
Color Form: Orange, Tan
Diet: Herbivore
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Turbinidae
The Chestnut Turbo Snail is an elegant, yet functional, addition to any reef aquarium. Like other snails, Turbo castanae is a powerhouse when it comes to cleaning algae and detritus from your aquarium. And like other members of the Turbinidae family, the Chestnut Turbo Snail boasts the same turbinate, or top-shaped shell. However, it is its well-defined and bead-dotted spirals and soft brown color draped with reddish-brown to cream color patches that really stop any onlooker's eye.
In the wild, Chestnut Turbo Snails are often found in crevices and holes of the reefs, quietly serving as one of nature's more diligent housekeepers. In the home aquarium, the Chestnut Turbo Snail is equally as peaceful and useful. Most prefer ample hiding places and large amounts of room to graze, preferably amongst live rock. They will also feed on the algae covering aquarium glass. Combined with their easy care requirements, the Turbo castanae is ideal for both beginning and advanced reef hobbyists.
Dried seaweed can serve as the perfect dietary supplement for the Chestnut Turbo Snail, especially when natural food sources are insufficient. Keep in mind, however, that adequate calcium levels must be maintained as members of the Turbinidae family use calcium to build their shells. Like many other invertebrates, the Chestnut Turbo is also very sensitive to copper-based medications and prefers low nitrate levels.
It is extremely difficult to breed in an aquarium, especially considering the Chestnut Turbo Snail has no distinguishing characteristics to help differentiate it from its mate.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2"
14-Fighting Conch
Strombus spp.
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 4"
Diet: Detritus, Omnivore
Origin: Asia, Papua New Guinea, Tonga
Family: Strombidae
The beneficial Fighting Conch is not as aggressive as its name implies. Though a male Fighting Conch can be territorial towards other males of its own kind, the Fighting Conch is peaceful towards other tankmates. The Fighting Conch is a suitable addition to any home reef aquarium, where it will use its excellent sand sifting abilities to clean and aerate the substrate.
Praised for their hardiness, the Fighting Conch requires open, deep sand beds in which it can forage for food. Though multiple Fighting Conches should be housed in larger systems, single specimens are suited for any size reef aquarium. Keep in mind that the Fighting Conch has a voracious appetite; as such, supplemental feeding is required in smaller systems and recommended in even the largest aquarium setups.
Classified as an omnivore, the Fighting Conch will consume detritus from your aquarium substrate. Supply pieces of fresh fish and dried seaweed, as well as high quality frozen foods to supplement the diet of the Fighting Conch. Like other invertebrates, the Fighting Conch is sensitive to high levels of nitrate and will not tolerate copper-based medications.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1" to 2"
15-Spiny Star Astraea
Astraea phoebia
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 1"
Color Form: Green, Tan, Yellow
Diet: Herbivore
Supplements: Calcium, Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Astraeinae
The Spiny Star Astraea Snail has a unique shell and a ravenous appetite for algae. Unlike many bottom dwellers that are dressed in drab colors to better camouflage themselves against the sand bottoms, Astraea phoebiaboasts a pyramid-shape shell with beautiful, green, yellow, and tan coloration. The Spiny Star Astraea boasts pronounced projections on their shells creating a sculptured spiral star shape that is sure to dazzle the eye.
Though interesting to observe in your home aquarium, the Spiny Star Astraea Snail serves a greater function of cleaning algae-covered live rock. It is very adept at keeping your aquarium clean. In fact, this small herbivore prefers to feed on nuisance hair algae, as well as cyanobacteria and diatoms. Some aquarists also report that the Spiny Star Astraea Snail actually consumes the entire hair algae structure, which helps prevent immediate further algae growth.
The Spiny Star Astraea prefers established aquariums with ample hiding places and sufficient room to roam. In addition to eating algae off of your live rock, this member of the Astraeinae family will also clean your aquarium glass. However, the Spiny Star Astraea Snail is not known to be a climber like other smaller-shelled snail species. Care needs to be taken to observe the daily activities of this hungry snail since it has difficulty righting itself if it falls or is knocked upside down.
Like other invertebrates, the Spiny Star Astraea Snail is sensitive to high nitrate levels and will not tolerate copper-based medications. The Spiny Star Astraea Snail requires a gradual acclimation period, preferably the drip acclimation method (often over two hours), since it cannot tolerate even minute changes in water parameters. If sufficient food levels are not present, supplement the diet with blanched spinach or lettuce and vegetable-based tablet foods.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1/2" to 1"
16-Turban Snail
Tectus fenestratus
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 2½"
Color Form: Clear, Tan, White
Diet: Herbivore
Supplements: Calcium, Trace Elements
Origin: Asia
Family: Trochidae
The Turban Snail is a powerhouse that helps keep live rock and aquarium glass free of algae. This peaceful snail boasts an interesting shell and is a smart addition to your existing aquarium cleanup crew. The Turban Snail, is also known as the Top Snail, False Trochus Snail, or Pyramid Snail, and is found in holes and crevices of the reef in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. It has a bumpy shell shaped like a top or turban generally in varying earth tone colors including white, tan or even brown. The foot of the snail is white with fine black dots.
This hardy snail does well in an established aquarium with ample places to hide. The aquarium should ideally have a large area for grazing and live rock. Since the Turban Snail uses calcium to build its shell, an adequate calcium level must be maintained. It is very sensitive to any level of copper-based medications and prefers a low nitrate level.
The Turban Snail can spawn in captivity, normally in mature reef aquariums. The Turban Snail will expel their gametes, temporarily making the water cloudy. In a few months tiny Turban Snails will be visible on the glass and substrate when the lights have gone off. As they grow the Turban Snails will venture out into bright light during the day.
If sufficient algae are not present, the Turban Snail's diet should be supplemented with dried seaweed.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/4"
17-Zebra Turbo Snail
Turbo sp.
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 2"
Color Form: Black
Diet: Herbivore
Supplements: Calcium, Trace Elements
Origin: Asia
Family: Turbinidae
The Zebra Striped Turbo Snail is a beautiful algae removing powerhouse. Like other members of the Turbinidae family, the Zebra Striped Turbo Snail has a voracious appetite for algae. While other Turbo species have simple top- or turban-shaped shells, the Zebra Striped boasts a stunning dark black shell striped in elegant waves of tan.
Off the coast of Asia, Zebra Striped Turbo Snails are often found in crevices and holes within the reefs. In the home aquarium, the Zebra Striped Turbo Snail prefers ample hiding places and large amounts of room to graze, preferably amongst live rock. They will also feed on the algae covering aquarium glass.
When algae levels are insufficient, supplement their diet with dried seaweed. Keep in mind, that proper calcium levels must be maintained as members of the Turbinidae family use calcium to build their shells. Like many other invertebrates, the Zebra Striped Turbo Snail is also very sensitive to copper-based medications and high nitrate levels.
The Zebra Striped Turbo Snail is extremely difficult to breed in the home aquarium, especially considering the Zebra Striped Turbo Snail has no distinguishing characteristics to help differentiate it from its mate.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2"
