Turbo Snail
-
Specific Name: Turbo spp. (commonly Turbo fluctuosa)
-
Diet: Herbivore – strong grazer of hair algae, film algae, and diatoms
-
Pest or Good Guy: ✅ Good Guy
-
Size: 3–6 cm, sometimes larger
-
Breed in Captivity: Rarely – does not typically breed successfully in home aquariums
-
Cautions: Can knock over loose corals and rockwork due to size and strength; sensitive to copper and poor acclimation
Description:
Turbo snails are the heavy lifters of the reef clean-up crew. Known for their appetite for nuisance algae—especially hair algae—they can make short work of unwanted growth on rocks and glass. With thick, often beautifully ridged shells, Turbos are best suited to larger tanks with secure rockwork. While peaceful, their bulk and strength mean they’ll bulldoze through frag racks and unsecured corals without hesitation. They’re hardy when acclimated slowly and thrive in established systems with plenty of algae to graze. A must-have in tanks battling algae, just be ready for their energetic tank tours!