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.
The Turbo snail is well known as a fast moving snail that makes quick work of algae in the aquarium. Its rounded shell usually grows to 2 or 3 inches, although some species may grow even larger. Its operculum, or trap door, is smooth, unlike its Mexican cousins who have a swirl pattern. 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.
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.
The Striped Top Hat is a fantastic algae eater with a white shell, often covered in colorful coralline algae. Its shell may reach 2.5 inches tall. 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 Spiny Astrea snail eats many types of algae including hair algae. Its shell has small spikes all over. It stays small at 1.5 inches 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.
Zebra Snail Neritina zebra Zebra Nerite Snails are one of the most popular and trusted snails for the home aquarium. While adored for their brilliant shell markings, these snails are also amazing additions to a clean up crew. Unlike most snails, they require saltier (brackish) water to reproduce, so they will not begin to overpopulate your tank as with many other species. These snails like a temperature between 65-85oF, pH between 6.5-8.5, and their dKH between 12-18.Zebra Snails are one of the top choices for algae eating within the peaceful home aquarium. Not only are they beautiful, but quite hardy as well.
The colorful Strawberry Top Hat is a fantastic algae eater for large aquariums. Its pink striped shell may reach 3 inches tall. 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.
One of the best sand-sifting snails, the Fighting conch stays small and eats lots of algae. It does not actually fight and is very peaceful towards all its tank-mates. It moves with a hopping motion and may hide under the substrate. It is regularly imported from the Philippines. It is usually available as a 1 inch snail which may grow up to 2 inches long.
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, and dKH between 2-15.
Mystery Snail - Black Pomacea sp. Mystery snails are one of the many popular snails in the freshwater hobby. They are favored for their shells, which range between a plethora of different colours and patterns. Mystery snails have a long siphon that they use to extend out into the open air so they can breathe – and often, the siphons are longer than the snail themselves! Since they require open air to breathe, it is recommended to have a few inches of space available above the waterline so they may go up when needed. Mystery snails are more active at night where they scour the bottom substrate for food. They will eat a variety of foods, such as algae, plant matter, vegetables, flake food, and frozen food. They like their water temperature to be between 68-84°F, a pH between 7.8-8.4, and Dkh between 12-18.
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.
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.
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, and dKH between 2-15.
Freshwater
