Aestrea snails (Astraea tecta), are one of the best algae eating snails and are essential, for keeping live coral reef tanks flourishing. If you are dedicated to keeping and growing captive corals in your aquarium, this is one of the essential animals to have living in the reef tank. Astrea snails are one of the best additions to the clean up crew for your coral reef aquarium. The Astraea Snail is also known as the Astraea Star Snail, Astraea Conehead Snails, Turbo Snail, or algae eater snails, feed on nuisance hair algae, as well as cyano bacteria and diatoms in marine aquarium. They are about the size of an average grape and boasts a pyramid-shape shell with beautiful, olive green coloration. Though interesting to observe in your home aquarium, the Astraea Turbo Snail serves a greater function of cleaning algae-covered live rock. If no algae is present in the aquarium you may supplement the Astrea Snails diet with live macro algae or dried seaweed (nori). The Astraea 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. Take care to place the Astrea Snails rightside-up in the aquarium and to turn over any snails that may get flipped. These snails have 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.
