ORA Trochus Snail (5-Pack) - ORA

Quick Stats

• Care Level: Easy
• Diet: Herbivore
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Reef-Safe: Yes
• Source: Captive Bred
• Approximate Purchase Size: 1"
• Approximate Max Size: 1"

Overview

These Trochus snails are shipped directly to you with exceptional care and high-grade packaging specifically made for live animals from our partner, ORA. This animal is certified by the Mr. Chili Sustainability Alliance, meaning it is sustainably bred, was raised with exceptional husbandry practices, and 2% of net proceeds will be donated to support Ocean Conservation.

Trochus snails (Rochia nilotica) are the best algae eaters you can buy for your aquarium. Unlike most snails in the aquarium industry, they are from warm tropical waters and thrive in captivity.  They are voracious herbivores that will graze on rocks and tank walls alike. Maybe the best part about Trochus snails is that they have the ability to right themselves when they flip upside down, making them less likely to fall prey to predators and scavengers.

These snails are bred and raised in captivity at ORA's Marshall Island Mariculture Farm facility and will reproduce relatively easily in a stable aquarium environment with no extra intervention required.

Note: Image is a representation of what to expect. The animal you receive may vary slightly in appearance.

Water Parameters

Maintaining proper water parameters is crucial for the health and well-being of your cleanup crew. While Trochus snails are some of the most hardy cleanup crew members you can add to your saltwater aquarium, providing a stable environment will allow them to thrive and stay healthy.

• Temperature: Keep the water temperature between 75-78°F. Stability is key, so use a reliable heater that can limit any temperature swings to about +/- 1°F or less.
• pH Level: This animal will do well in a wide pH range from about 7.7 to 8.5.
• Salinity: The specific gravity should be between 1.023-1.026 (27-35ppt). Use a refractometer to monitor salinity levels accurately.
• Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate: Ammonia and nitrite levels should be undetectable, while nitrate levels should be kept below 20 ppm. Regular water changes and proper filtration will help to achieve this.

Diet

Trochus snails are herbivores, meaning they rely primarily on algae for their nutritional needs. This makes them a natural and chemical-free solution for controlling algae in your reef tank. These snails will actively graze on various surfaces throughout your aquarium, including glass, rocks, and substrate. Supplemental feeding is usually not necessary in established setups.

Compatibility

When it comes to tank mates, the Trochus snail can be kept with any peaceful fish and won't bother corals. Predators such as pufferfish should be avoided. In some instances, hermit crabs may attack snails in an effort to steal their shell, so keep that in mind when planning out your cleanup crew.

Common Tank Mates

Here are some ideal tank mates:

• Fish: Clownfish, Cardinalfish, most Wrasse, Firefish, Tangs, Dwarf Angelfish, and other peaceful fish. Avoid predators like pufferfish
• Invertebrates: Trochus snails won't bother other invertebrates, but can fall victim to hermit crabs looking to steal their shells.
• Coral: Trochus snails are considered Reef Safe and can be kept with Soft, LPS, or SPS coral.

Breeding

One of the key advantages of incorporating Trochus Snails into your clean-up crew is their ability to breed in a captive aquarium environment with minimal effort from the aquarist. Unlike other clean-up crew members that may need periodic replacement, Trochus snails often reproduce and sustain their population without any external intervention. This self-sustaining feature makes them an efficient, long-term solution for managing algae in your tank. Their eggs and larvae typically develop without disturbing other tank inhabitants, and over time, you may notice small snails gradually populating the aquarium.