Tectus Snail

The tectus snail is an algae grazer recognized by its straight-sided, pointed cone-shaped shell mottled in cream, greenish and reddish-brown tones. It cleans the algae film, diatoms and short filamentous algae from glass, rock and pipe surfaces. Unlike the Astraea snail, it can usually right itself when it falls upside down. In stores it is sometimes also sold under the name "trochus"; these similar-looking snails have the same care requirements. Those on the market are mostly wild-collected.

• 40 liters or more; 1 snail per 20–40 liters depending on the amount of algae.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C; calcium and alkalinity should be stable for the shell.
• Reef safe; it does not touch corals or other animals.
• It should be acclimated by the drip method for at least 1 hour; copper-based medications are lethal.

Herbivorous; it feeds on algae film, diatoms and short filamentous algae. When algae run low it should be supplemented with pieces of nori or sinking algae wafers.

Peaceful and constantly on the move; it roams the glass and rocks day and night. It may climb up to the water surface but has no tendency to escape from the aquarium.

Good companions: almost all reef-safe fish; shrimp, other snails, the scarlet reef hermit crab.

Avoid: triggerfish, pufferfish, large wrasses; aggressive hermit crabs without spare shells.