Turbo/Astrea Snail - Group of 50

The Turbo Snail, a.k.a. Astrea or Florida Turbo, is the most popular snail in the aquarium industry. Turbos are cone-shaped and their shells are often times covered in coralline algae. These snails are tremendous film-algae eaters and will forage on diatoms and other algaes that grow on live rock and aquarium glass. They are nocturnal and do most of their cleaning at night. These snails will continue to grow their shell over time, if the aquarium is kept at proper calcium levels. In nature, Turbos live on large grass beds where they bury in the sand during high tide, and crawl along the grass blades feeding on algae during low tide. Keep one per every two gallons.Snails belong to a Class known as Gastropods, which make up the largest class of Mollusks. Snails grow by increasing their swirling body while producing a protective shell. This shell protects their soft body from predators. They will use a pad, or foot, that extends from their shell which allows them to drag their shell along. As they drag their shell often times their mouth and eyes can be seen coming out from the opening of the shell. When frightened or sleeping this opening can be protected by an operculum, which is a hard protective cover that acts like a door to the shell. Snail identification is based on the color, shape, and pattern of their shell.