Turbo snail
From ReefPedia
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[edit] Turbo SnailScientific Name Turbo fluctuosa Max. Size: Up to 2" Tank Size: 10 gallon Aggression: Peaceful Hardiness: Hardy Reef-Safe: Yes Available as captive-bred: No Hitchhiker? Possible |
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Physical Description
Turbo snails like most snails consist of a hardened shell covering a soft foot. The shell of the Turbo snail is generally top or turban shaped, which has given them the additional name of Turban snails. The coloration of its shell can vary greatly from one snail to the next, but many seem to have an iridescent silver color to them.
Distribution
Mexico
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Behavior
Turbo snails like most marine snails spend their time simply moving throughout the tank to feed upon algae. These snails will often be found making their way over live rock or on the tank's glass scraping away one tiny mouthful of algae after the next.
Feeding
Turbo snails like most marine snails are herbivores that spend their time eating algae. There eating habits make them very desireable for the home aquarium where they will form a key piece of the fight on nuisance algae. If insufficient algae is available in the tank, their diet should be supplemented with dried seaweed.
Breeding
Breeding of Turbo snails while possible is not generally very successful. Neither gender has any distinguishing marks to tell one snail apart from its mate. In the event that your snails do breed, the eggs and larvae generally fall prey to other aquarium residents before reaching maturity.
Social Structure
Like most snails, Turbo snails do not show any real social structure. It is safe to keep as many of them as you like just as long as the tank can support them.
Additional Notes
Like many marine creatures, Turbo snails utilize calcium to build their shells. Adequate calcium levels must be maintained within the tank to ensure the health of these snails.
Take care when selecting your Turbo snails. Some specimens come from more temperate waters, and will not survive the temperatures of tropical tanks.
Like most invertibrates, Turbo snails are intolerant of copper based medications. Never treat a show tank with such medicines if you want your little friends to live. Also remember that invertibrates are more intolerant of changes in water conditions. When first introducing your Turbo snails, make sure you do it slowly so the snails have time to adjust to the new water parameters.
