Astrea Snail (Astraea tecta)

Max Size: 1 inch
Diet: Herbivore
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons

The Astraea Turbo Snail is a visually appealing and highly efficient algae-eater. Its unique pyramid-shaped shell exhibits a beautiful olive green color, and some individuals even have shell projections that resemble stars, earning them the names Astraea Star Snail or Astraea Conehead Snail.

While it adds visual interest to your aquarium, the primary role of the Astraea Turbo Snail is to keep your tank clean from algae. This small herbivore has a particular taste for troublesome hair algae, cyanobacteria, and diatoms. Some aquarists have observed that it consumes the entire hair algae structure, preventing rapid algae regrowth.

For optimal performance, the Astraea Turbo Snail prefers well-established aquariums with plenty of hiding spots and room to move around. It efficiently cleans algae off live rock and glass, but it's not known for climbing like smaller-shelled snail species. However, it's important to monitor the snail's activities closely, as it can have difficulty righting itself if it falls or gets flipped upside down.

Similar to other invertebrates, the Astraea Turbo Snail is sensitive to high nitrate levels and should not be exposed to copper-based medications. Gradual acclimation is essential, preferably using the drip acclimation method over several hours, as it is intolerant to sudden changes in water parameters. To supplement its diet, provide blanched spinach or lettuce and vegetable-based tablet foods if sufficient algae levels are not present.

With its alluring appearance and effective algae-cleaning capabilities, the Astraea Turbo Snail is a valuable addition to any well-maintained aquarium.