Spiny Astrea Snail

Spiny astraea snails (Astraea sp.) are cone-shaped reef grazers with short spines or ridges spiralling up the shell. They are steady, methodical workers on film algae and short hair algae, and they will get into tight spots on rock that broader snails cannot reach. One quirk is worth knowing before you buy: an astraea that falls onto its back on open sand often cannot turn itself over, and will die there unless someone rights it.

Aquarium care

• Usually 2 to 3 cm across the base of the shell.
• A herbivore that grazes film algae and short filamentous algae from rock and glass.
• Needs an established tank with real algae growth to sustain it.
• Poor at righting itself — check the sand bed occasionally and turn over any that have flipped.
• Sensitive to copper-based medication and to swings in salinity or temperature.
• Drip acclimate slowly on arrival.

They suit mature reef and fish-only tanks with peaceful stock, working alongside trochus and nassarius snails as part of a mixed clean-up crew. Keep them away from pufferfish, triggerfish and large hermit crabs, and stock sensibly for the algae you actually have.

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