{"product_id":"mexican-turbo-snail-turbo-fluctuosa-saltwater-reef","title":"Mexican Turbo Snail (Turbo fluctuosa) | Algae-Eating Cleanup Crew","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eMexican Turbo Snail\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eTurbo fluctuosa\u003c\/em\u003e) is the heavy-equipment option for algae control in saltwater reef tanks. Bigger appetite than Astrea, Trochus, or Cerith snails — a single Mexican Turbo will mow through hair algae, film algae, and diatoms faster than a half-dozen smaller grazers. Beginner-friendly, peaceful, and reef safe. Pair with our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/nassarius-snails-large\"\u003eNassarius\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tiger-sand-snail\"\u003eTiger Sand Snails\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/emerald-crab-mithraculus-sculptus-saltwater-reef\"\u003eEmerald Crab\u003c\/a\u003e for a complete \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater cleanup crew\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMexican Turbos are subtropical herbivores from the Sea of Cortez and Baja Mexico. They graze constantly across rock and glass, scraping off film algae, diatoms, and tougher hair algae that smaller snails can't keep up with. They self-right easily if knocked over (a big advantage over Astrea snails).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature matters more than you'd think.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mexican Turbos are \u003cem\u003esubtropical\u003c\/em\u003e, not fully tropical — they live in 70–78°F water in the wild. Tanks running 78–82°F shorten their lifespan to 6–18 months. Cooler reef tanks (72–75°F) get 3–5 years. Many reefkeepers run Mexican Turbos as a \"consumable\" cleanup crew — they earn their keep clearing an algae bloom, then get replaced annually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDon't let them starve.\u003c\/strong\u003e If your tank runs out of nuisance algae, supplement with dried nori or seaweed clipped to a magnet. Starvation is a more common cause of death than temperature in well-stocked, low-algae reef tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeads up on aquascaping:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mexican Turbos are powerful and physically large enough to bulldoze loose frags or knock over stacked rock that isn't glued or aquastix'd in place. Secure your scape and glue your frag plugs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; max-width: 600px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold; width: 40%;\"\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTurbo fluctuosa\u003c\/em\u003e (also seen as \u003cem\u003eTurbo fluctuosus\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eMexican Turbo Snail, Turban Snail\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eCare Level\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eTank Size Minimum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e10–30 gallons (1 per 10–20 gal)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eMax Adult Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e~2 in shell diameter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e6–18 mo at 78–82°F; 3–5 yr at 72–75°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eWater Type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eSaltwater \/ Reef\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e72–78°F (cooler is better)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSalinity (SG)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e1.023–1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003epH \/ dKH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e8.1–8.4 \/ 8–12\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eHerbivore — hair algae, film algae, diatoms; supplement with nori\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eSea of Cortez \/ Gulf of California, Baja Mexico\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGreat with:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reef-safe community fish (clownfish, gobies, blennies, firefish, chromis), other CUC species (other snails, cleaner shrimp, Emerald Crabs), and standard reef coral mixes (LPS, SPS, soft corals).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUse caution with:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hermit crabs (may kill snails for the shell — keep extra empty shells around), and tanks with loose or unglued aquascape (the snails are physically powerful and will knock things over).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid with:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pufferfish, triggers, large wrasses, and hawkfish — these will eat snails. Don't keep with predatory crabs that pry shells open.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eMexican Turbo vs. Other CUC Snails\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMexican Turbo (this listing):\u003c\/strong\u003e The heavy-equipment grazer. Best for clearing established hair algae and diatoms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/margarita-snail-margarites-pupillus-saltwater-reef-safe-algae-eating-snail\"\u003eMargarita Snail\u003c\/a\u003e: Smaller and slower; gentler grazing on rock surfaces. Won't bulldoze frags.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/nassarius-snails-large\"\u003eNassarius Snails (Large)\u003c\/a\u003e: Sand-bed scavengers — they eat leftover meaty food and detritus, NOT algae. Run alongside Turbos for a complete crew.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tiger-sand-snail\"\u003eTiger Sand Snail\u003c\/a\u003e: Sand sifters that aerate the substrate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eRecommended Pairings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/emerald-crab-mithraculus-sculptus-saltwater-reef\"\u003eEmerald Crab\u003c\/a\u003e — takes care of bubble algae the snails won't touch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/scarlet-skunk-cleaner-shrimp-lysmata-amboinensis-saltwater\"\u003eScarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e — peaceful tankmate that cleans parasites off your fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003ereef nutrition\u003c\/a\u003e for nori, sinking pellets, and supplemental food when algae runs low\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I buy for my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe rule of thumb is one Mexican Turbo per 10–20 gallons. A 30-gallon tank with a moderate algae problem can handle 2–3; a clean 30-gallon usually only supports one without supplemental feeding. Don't overstock or they'll starve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy do my Mexican Turbos die in 6–9 months?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nUsually one of two reasons: temperature or starvation. Mexican Turbos are subtropical (70–78°F), and the warm 78–82°F that most tropical reef tanks run is technically too hot for long-term care. They also need a steady supply of algae — if your tank is too clean, supplement with nori. Run cooler if possible, and keep them fed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they eat my coralline algae?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nMexican Turbos primarily target soft film algae, diatoms, and hair algae. They will graze across coralline-encrusted rock without significantly damaging it, but in tanks where soft algae is scarce, they may leave grazing trails on coralline. The trails recover quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes, 100% reef safe. They won't touch corals, anemones, fish, or other inverts. The only caveat is that they're physically large — their movement can dislodge frag plugs that aren't glued down or knock over loose rock.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48079418589403,"sku":"SW4-SW3374","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/turbosnailmexican.png?v=1777984540","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/mexican-turbo-snail-turbo-fluctuosa-saltwater-reef","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}