The famous Black Footed Trochus, or Red Banded snail is famous for its voracious appetite for algae and its ability to flip itself over from its back. This ability makes it one of the most appropriate snails for small aquariums and those with open sand or bare bottoms. It should be placed right side up on the sand after acclimation. Their rasping teeth are able to scratch acrylic, so are recommended only for glass aquariums. Snails are extremely sensitive to changes in water quality.
The popular Astrea snail has a pointy white shell often covered in coralline algae. It is a terrific algae eater for the glass and rocks and grows to 1 inch. It is commonly available from Florida. It should be placed right side up on the sand near the glass after acclimation. It is adapted to rocky habitats; if it falls onto its back on the aquarium's sand it is not physically able to flip over and must be assisted. Snails are extremely sensitive to changes in water quality.
This efficient scavenging snail hides under the sand, emerging at feeding time to consume fish food and detritus. It grows to 1 inch and poses no threat to other aquarium inhabitants. It should be placed right side up on the sand after acclimation. Snails are extremely sensitive to changes in water quality.
This minute snail hides under the sand, emerging at feeding time to consume fish food and detritus. Its small size allows it to enter tiny crevices in the live rock. This efficient clean-up critter grows to 1/2 inch and poses no threat to other aquarium inhabitants. It is typically imported from Florida. It should be placed right side up on the sand after acclimation. Snails are extremely sensitive to changes in water quality.
The Babylon snail has a large cream colored shell with orange blotches and is also known as the Leopard Nassarius. It hides under the sand, emerging at feeding time to consume fish food and detritus. It may attack smaller snails and clams. This efficient clean-up critter grows to 3 inches and is similar to the Olive snail. It should be placed right side up on the sand after acclimation. Snails are extremely sensitive to changes in water quality.
This exceptional snail is both beautiful and hard working. It eats many types of algae such as hair and diatoms, and is not usually targeted by hermit crabs. Its smooth shell is covered by its fleshy mantel when the snail is active. It is known to breed in the aquarium and may sit on top of its eggs to protect them. It grows to 1 inch and is perfect for even small aquariums. It should be placed right side up on the sand after acclimation.
The popular Cerith snail has a pointy grey shell. It is a terrific algae eater for the sand and lower areas of the aquarium; it grows to 1 inch. It is commonly available from Florida. It should be placed right side up on the sand after acclimation. The shape of its shell helps ensure it does not become trapped upside down like some other snails. Snails are extremely sensitive to changes in water quality.
Assassin Snails Anetome Helena Assassin snails are true to their name - they will dutifully take care of pest snail populations in any aquarium. It is easy to unknowingly introduce pest snails as they are commonly brought in on plants as hitchhikers, and once in the tank their populations boom. Assassin snails are carnivorous and will eat any snail in the aquarium, so they are only recommended when you have pest snails the same size as assassin snails or smaller. The two most common pest snail that the assassin snails will take care of are Trumpet Snails and Ramshorn Snails. Assassin snails grow to a max size of 3 inches and are recommended to tanks of at least 30 gallons. The general rule of thumb is to have 5 assassin snails per every 15 gallons. They like their temperatures between 68-74oF, pH between 6.5-7.5.
One of the hardest working algae eating snails, the Throwing Star, or Ninja Star, eats many types of algae including hair algae. Its flattened shell has spikes all around the edges. It stays small at 1 inch which allows it to reach small crevices in the live rock. It should be placed right side up on the sand after acclimation. It is adapted to rocky habitats; if it falls onto its back on the aquarium's sand it is not physically able to flip over and must be assisted. Snails are extremely sensitive to changes in water quality.
The Large Spiny Astrea snail eats many types of algae including hair algae and some macroalgae. Its shell is typically dark grey and has spikes all over. It may grow to 2.5 inches. It should be placed right side up on the sand after acclimation. It is adapted to rocky habitats; if it falls onto its back on the aquarium's sand it is not physically able to flip over and must be assisted. Snails are extremely sensitive to changes in water quality.
Golden Spotted Rabbit Snail Tylomelania sp. Rabbit Snails are aptly named, as these cute creatures have unique characteristics that remind many people of rabbits! Their antennae droop low alongside their elongated snout that works diligently at cleaning leftover food and organic debris. They are omnivores, so anything fed to the fish above and left to the floor they will eat. They will also eat algae as well as plant matter, so they may munch on certain plants. Rabbit Snails are peaceful clean-up crew additions that max out at a size of 3", best suited for aquariums of 30 gallons. They prefer water temperature between 68-74oF, pH between 6.5-7.5.
