Banded Trochus Snail

Banded trochus snails (Trochus sp.) are pyramid-shelled marine grazers from Indo-Pacific reefs, with a banded conical shell and a broad foot that lets them work glass, rock and overhangs. They are among the more useful clean-up crew animals: steady, unspectacular and constantly rasping film algae and diatoms off hard surfaces. Unlike some reef snails, a trochus that ends up on its back can usually right itself.

Aquarium care

• Shell length is typically 2 to 4 cm.
• A dedicated herbivore — it eats film algae and diatoms, not detritus or leftover fish food.
• Needs an established tank with enough algae growth to sustain it; a spotless new system will starve it.
• Sensitive to copper-based medications and to sudden changes in salinity or temperature.
• Drip acclimate slowly rather than tipping it straight into the display.
• Grazes across every hard surface, glass included.

They suit reef and fish-only marine tanks stocked with peaceful fish. Avoid keeping them with pufferfish, triggerfish, large wrasses or hermit crabs big enough to take the shell. Buy a sensible number for the amount of algae you actually have rather than filling the tank with them at once.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is available for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. More marine stock in the saltwater collection.