Trochus Snail Care Guide

Trochus is a genus of top-shaped marine snails used as reef cleanup crew; they graze film algae and diatoms and right themselves more readily than many other snails.

Overview

Trochus is a genus of medium-to-large, top-shaped marine snails with an operculum. The shell has a broadly conical spire and a flat to convex base, and the interior is pearly and iridescent owing to a thick layer of nacre. The genus contains roughly 37 currently recognised species.

Taxonomy

• Family: Trochidae
• Genus: Trochus
• Scientific name: Trochus sp.
• Common names: trochus snail, turban snail

Habitat

Trochus are marine sea snails associated with reefs and reef flats, where they live in contact with hard surfaces and graze on the algal film.

Tank requirements

• Minimum tank volume: 40 L
• Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
• pH: 8.1-8.4
• Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
• Carbonate hardness: 8-12 dKH
• Water flow: moderate
• Stocking: roughly one snail per 8-11 L

Diet

Trochus snails are herbivorous grazers that control diatoms on the aquarium glass and graze nuisance algae on rockwork. Their primary duty in a cleanup crew is patrolling the glass.

Reef compatibility

The snail is peaceful and reef-safe, and its shell shape makes it less easily eaten by crabs. Trochus generally right themselves better than many grazing snails sold in the hobby, which improves their survival on sandy substrates.