Astrea Snail

The Astraea Turbo Snail is a type of snail that is known for its attractive shell and voracious appetite for algae. Unlike many other bottom-dwelling snails that have dull colors to blend in with the sand, the Astraea tecta has a unique pyramid-shaped shell that is olive green in color. Some snails also have projections on their shells that make them look like stars, which is why they are also called Astraea Star Snails or Astraea Conehead Snails. Apart from being an interesting addition to your aquarium, the Astraea Turbo Snail is useful for cleaning live rock that is covered in algae. This herbivorous snail eats hair algae, cyanobacteria, and diatoms, and it has been reported to consume the entire hair algae structure, which prevents further growth. It is important to note that the snail prefers aquariums with enough hiding places and room to move around, and it is not a climber like some smaller snail species. To ensure the well-being of the Astraea Turbo Snail, it is essential to monitor its daily activities as it has difficulty righting itself if it falls or is knocked upside down. It is also sensitive to high nitrate levels and copper-based medications, so it is crucial to maintain suitable water parameters. Additionally, the snail requires gradual acclimation to the aquarium water, preferably through the drip acclimation method, and should be fed blanched spinach or lettuce and vegetable-based tablet foods if sufficient algae is not present.