Mexican Turbo Snail (Turbo fluctuosa) Care Guide
Turbo fluctuosa is a large, cool-water turban snail from the eastern Pacific, prized for consuming large amounts of hair and film algae in reef tanks.
Overview
Turbo fluctuosa (W. Wood, 1828) is a large, heavy-shelled turban snail of the family Turbinidae, sold as the Mexican Turbo Snail. It is extremely popular among reef aquarists because it quickly consumes large amounts of nuisance algae, and is particularly fond of hair algae. Note that specimens sold under this name are sometimes the Indo-Pacific zebra turbo (Turbo bruneus) instead.
Taxonomy
- Family: Turbinidae
- Genus: Turbo
- Scientific name: Turbo fluctuosa
- Authority: W. Wood, 1828
Habitat
The species is native to the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) off Mexico, with a range extending from Cedros Island, Baja California, south to Peru and including the Galapagos and Tres Marias Islands. It is found in intertidal zones, under and attached to rocks and dead corals where fresh algae growth is abundant, most commonly at depths of about 2 to 33 feet. These cooler-water origins make it less tolerant of warm tropical tank temperatures.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 18-24 °C (64-75 °F) — prefers cooler water
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-12
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- Adult shell size: 4-6 cm
- Lifespan: 1-3 years
- Well-secured rockwork (it can bulldoze loose rock)
Diet
It is a herbivore that grazes large quantities of hair algae and film algae from rock and glass. An active feeder, it needs ample grazing space; in tanks with little algae the diet should be supplemented with dried algae.
Compatibility
It is peaceful and reef-safe, but its large, heavy shell can knock over loose rocks and unsecured coral frags as it forages. Because it prefers cooler water, sustained warm temperatures are a common cause of die-off. Predatory fish such as triggerfish and pufferfish should be avoided.