Hobbies And Interests
Diet
Turbo snails are herbivores, meaning they eat plants rather than animals. They eat several different types of algae, including green algae, slime algae and green hair algae. They also eat cyanobacteria, which is a type of blue bacteria. Dried seaweed can be used to supplement their diet if there is not enough algae in the aquarium. Turbo snails will eat the algae off the aquarium glass and any live rocks or coral in the tank. They also move through the substrate at the bottom of the tank, cleaning and eating any algae they find there.
Tank Specifications
Most turbo snails grow to a size of 2 inches, though some can grow up to 4 inches long. They require a tank that holds a minimum of 30 gallons. Rocks or coral should be placed in the tank as turbo snails are nocturnal, preferring to hide during the day. There should be room for the snail to graze as well. A substrate of small rocks or sand should be used, though turbo snails are strong enough to bulldoze through the substrate, knocking down anything that is not secured with reef glue.
Water Considerations
To ensure the survival of a turbo snail, help it acclimate to the new environment. They are saltwater creatures that prefer a temperature of 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The pH level should be between 8 and 8.4 and the specific gravity levels should be 1.020 to 1.024. Turbo snails use calcium in the water to build their shells, so calcium supplements may be needed. The ideal water hardiness level is dKH 8 to 12. They are intolerant of high nitrate levels; the nitrate level should not go above 40 ppm.
Other Information
Medications that are copper-based are toxic to turbo snails and should be avoided. The filter, temperature, water salinity and water quality should be checked frequently. Be aware that a turbo snail that has fallen over cannot bring itself back to the upright position. It will die if left on its back. A turbo snail that has successfully acclimated to its new environment can live up to two years.