Zebra Turbo Snail (Turbo sp.)

The Zebra Turbo Snail (Turbo sp.) is an algae-mowing machine wrapped in a striking black and cream striped shell. Like its Mexican cousin it plows across glass, rock, and equipment leaving clean trails through film algae, diatoms, and even young hair algae, but the zebra pattern makes this one a cleanup crew member you will actually enjoy spotting. Completely reef safe, peaceful, and beginner friendly. Build the rest of your crew from our saltwater livestock and supplies.

Care Guide

• Tank size: 10 gallons and up. One snail per 10 to 15 gallons is a good rule; a single Zebra Turbo does serious work.
• Water parameters: 72 to 78°F, salinity 1.023 to 1.026, pH 8.1 to 8.4. Drip acclimate, keep copper medications out of the tank, and avoid sudden swings.
• Diet: herbivore. It grazes film algae, diatoms, and hair algae all day. In a clean tank, feed dried seaweed clipped or rubber-banded to a rock a few times a week so it never runs out of fuel.
• Secure your aquascape: turbos are little bulldozers. Glue frags down and make sure rockwork is stable, because they will push through rather than around.
• Lend a hand: if one flips onto its back on the sand, flip it right side up. Most right themselves, but there is no harm in helping.

Specifications

Compatibility

Safe with corals, fish, shrimp, and every peaceful tank mate. It pairs perfectly with crew members that work different shifts: Nassarius Snails handle meaty leftovers under the sand, Bumble Bee Snails pick at the rock crevices, Red Leg Hermits tidy the rubble, and a Pincushion Urchin mows what the turbo misses. Avoid snail eaters like triggers, puffers, and predatory wrasses, and keep an eye on hermits if empty shells are scarce.

Recommended Crew Mates & Supplies

• Mexican Turbo Snail the classic workhorse version
• Nassarius Snail for the sand bed
• Ocean Nutrition Green Marine Algae backup food
• BRS Nori Seaweed Sheets

FAQ

How is this different from a Mexican Turbo?
Same job, different look. Both are hardy turban snails that graze algae; the Zebra wears bold stripes while the Mexican Turbo is a solid tan. Pick whichever look you like, or run both.

Will it eat hair algae?
Turbos are among the few snails that genuinely mow down hair algae, especially the newer, softer growth. For a bad outbreak, add manual removal and nutrient control too.

My tank is spotless. Will it starve?
It can. A very clean tank does not grow enough algae to feed a big grazer, so offer dried seaweed a few times a week and watch that the snail stays active.

Is it safe with my corals?
Completely. It has no interest in coral tissue. Just glue frags securely, because a determined turbo will shove loose ones off their perch.