Astraea tecta
Due to variations within
species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate
size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Color Form: Green
Diet: Herbivore
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78? F, dKH 8-12, pH
8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 1"
Family: Astraeinae
Supplements: Calcium, Trace Elements
The Astraea Turbo Snail has an attractive 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
tecta boasts a pyramid-shape shell with beautiful, olive green coloration.
Since some individuals have projections on the shell that give it a star-like
outline, the Astraea Turbo is also known as the Astraea Star Snail or Astraea
Conehead Snail.
Though interesting to observe in your home aquarium, the
Astraea Turbo 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 Astraea Turbo Snail actually
consumes the entire hair algae structure, which helps prevent immediate further
algae growth.
The Astraea Turbo Snail prefers well-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 Astraea Turbo Snail is not known to be
climbers 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 Astraea Turbo Snail is
sensitive to high nitrate levels and will not tolerate copper-based
medications. The Astraea Turbo Snail requires gradual acclimation preferably
utilizing the drip acclimation method over the course of several 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.