Snail (grazer)

Turbo snail

Turbo spp. (PFK names T. fluctuosa)

Group: Snail (grazer)
Care level: Beginner
With corals: Reef safe

What does the turbo snail do in a reef tank?

Hair algae, cyanobacteria, diatoms

With corals: Yes, but large

How many should you keep?

At most 1 per 100 L (22 US gal); a forum keeper says up to 2 per US gal in a nano is possible but rarely needed

One US gallon is 3.785 litres and one UK gallon is 4.546 litres, so a "per gallon" rule depends on whose gallon it means.

What can go wrong?

Big enough to knock over corals and loose rock; may starve once algae is gone, supplement with dried seaweed

Which tankmates are risky?

Fish

Fish that may eat or harass it.

None of the fish in this guide is known to eat or harass it.

Other invertebrates

Invertebrates it may harm, or that may harm it.

Take care (2)

Blue leg hermit crabBlue leg hermit crabs kill snails to take their shells; give spare empty shells.
Large hermitsLarge hermitss kill snails to take their shells; give spare empty shells.

These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.

Where sources disagree

Where sources disagree
Topic	What sources say	Our reading
How many to keep	At most 1 per 100 L (22 US gal); a forum keeper says up to 2 per US gal in a nano is possible but rarely needed	Per-gallon rules ignore how much food the tank grows. Start low, add more only when algae or leftovers build up, and convert US gallons at 3.785 litres.