Astrea Snail
Transform Your Tank with a Tireless, Natural Cleanup Crew
Looking for an unsung hero of the reef tank? The Astrea Snail (*Astraea tecta*) is one of the most dependable and widely respected algae-grazers in the saltwater aquarium hobby — a compact powerhouse that earns its keep from the moment it hits the rockwork. Its striking conical shell, textured with ridges and natural earthy tones, adds subtle visual character while it works tirelessly across every surface in your system.
Reaching roughly 1 inch at maturity, this species punches well above its size when it comes to controlling nuisance algae, particularly hair algae, diatoms, and cyanobacteria. Peaceful and non-aggressive, the Astrea Snail is an ideal addition to reef tanks of nearly any size and coexists beautifully with a wide range of corals and marine life. One caveat worth knowing: these specimens cannot right themselves if flipped upside down, so a gentle hand and rockwork with natural edges go a long way in keeping them thriving.
QUICK STATS & CARE GUIDE
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Common Name: Astrea Snail (Astraea Snail, Star Snail)
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Current Size: Approximately 0.5–1 inch
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Care Level: Easy
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Temperament: Peaceful
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Diet: Herbivore — grazes on hair algae, diatoms, cyanobacteria, and film algae; may accept supplemental algae wafers when natural food is scarce
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Reef Safe: Yes — completely reef safe with corals, invertebrates, and all marine life
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Water Conditions: Temp: 72–78°F | Salinity: 1.023–1.025 | pH: 8.1–8.4 | dKH: 8–12
WHY BUY FROM THE CORAL BOUTIQUE?
Every Astrea Snail offered by The Coral Boutique is ethically sourced, carefully quarantined, and fully acclimated to stable saltwater aquarium conditions before shipment — so what arrives at your door is a healthy, active specimen ready to get to work. We don't ship until they're eating and settled, because your tank deserves nothing less.
