Astrea Snail (Astraea tecta)

In-store pickup only. Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.

The Astrea Snail (Astraea tecta) brings a distinctive cone-shaped shell and a steady grazing habit to your reef cleanup crew. It browses film algae, diatoms and fine hair algae on rockwork and glass. Sold individually. Shell shades and natural encrusting growth vary, so the image represents the species rather than the exact snail you will receive.

Care Guide

Choose an established saltwater aquarium with enough natural algae to support its grazers. Start with a small number and add more only as food availability allows. A fixed snail-per-gallon formula cannot account for how much algae your tank actually grows.

Check for overturned snails daily. Astrea snails have difficulty righting themselves, especially on open sand. Gently place a stranded snail upright against a firm surface.

Acclimate carefully to temperature and salinity, following the instructions provided at pickup. Keep water conditions stable and avoid copper-based treatments in an aquarium containing snails.

Specifications

Common name	Astrea Snail, also called Astraea or Conehead Snail
Scientific name	Astraea tecta
Water type	Saltwater
Origin	Caribbean and western Atlantic
Adult size	About 1 inch
Care level	Beginner friendly in a stable, established aquarium
Temperament	Peaceful
Diet	Herbivore; film algae, diatoms and fine hair algae
Temperature	72 to 78°F
pH	8.1 to 8.4
Specific gravity	1.023 to 1.025
Alkalinity	8 to 12 dKH
Reef compatibility	Reef safe
Sale unit	One live snail; shell color and encrusting growth vary

Feeding

Natural grazing is the foundation of their diet. If algae becomes scarce, offer a small amount of marine algae food within reach and confirm the snail is eating. Remove uneaten supplements. Cleanup animals support regular maintenance; they do not replace it.

Compatibility

Suitable companions include peaceful reef fish, corals and other nonpredatory invertebrates. Avoid puffers, triggers and other snail-eating fish. Some wrasses and hermit crabs may prey on snails, so choose tankmates individually.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• BRS Nori Seaweed Sheets for a small supplemental algae offering when needed.
• Red Banded Trochus Snails to compare another rock and glass grazer.
• Cerith Snails for another cleanup crew option.
• Browse our invertebrate collection and saltwater livestock.

FAQ

Is the price for one snail?
Yes. Each purchase is for one live Astrea Snail.

Will it eat every kind of algae?
No. It grazes common films and some fine hair algae, but is not a guaranteed solution for every algae problem.

Is an upside-down snail dead?
Not necessarily. Help it upright promptly and watch for movement rather than assuming it has died.

Is it reef safe?
Yes. This algae grazer is suitable for a reef aquarium with compatible tankmates.