Are these snails Astraea, or Trochus?

[Miami Reef]

I needed a snail that won’t flip over and the LFS said these are Trochus. Is that true? Will these snails be able to upright themselves?

 

[Billldg]

It’s hard to say 100 percent with the blue lights, but I would say yes they are trochus snails and yes they will upright themselves. It’s funny watching them do it, lol! I have a bunch in my tank.

 

[Scurvy]

Those are Astrea or similar (Turban). Theres a couple different that get lumped together but I cant distinguish between them.

 

[DSC reef]

+1 for astrea snails.

 

[Scurvy]

It’s hard to say 100 percent with the blue lights, but I would say yes they are trochus snails and yes they will upright themselves. It’s funny watching them do it, lol! I have a bunch in my tank.

Simultaneous different answers. Trocus didnt get as pointed up top. At least the ones Ive bought. :?

 

[Billldg]

I looked at a picture and I stand corrected, they are astrea snails, not sure they can correct themselves.

 

[Matt Carden]

+1 Astrea

 

[Miami Reef]

I took another picture

 

[DSC reef]

If you can take a picture in white light, that will help immensely for future ID's.

 

[MTBake]

Astrea snails.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

+1 Astrea

+1

 

[MTBake]

Turbans are more rounded on top.

 

[Gw2kpro]

Astera.

 

[Miami Reef]

If you can take a picture in white light, that will help immensely for future ID's.

will do.

thanks everyone for the replies. I now know not to trust LFS employees for anything ID related. I will google pictures of trochus snails/anything else before I buy. Feel cheated because these snails were expensive.

 

[Billldg]

Try to buy aquarium breed trochus snails. I have found that the ones that are wild caught often die more easily than ones born in an aquarium.

 

[DSC reef]

will do.

thanks everyone for the replies. I now know not to trust LFS employees for anything ID related. I will google pictures of trochus snails/anything else before I buy. Feel cheated because these snails were expensive.

Sometimes it can be tough to ID or shipments come in mixed but generally astrea snails cost a dollar or less at my LFS. One of my favorite snails to keep in a reef.

 

[MTBake]

I like having astrea snails in my tank. They seem to live long and go after lots of different algae.

 

[Bret Brinkmann]

will do.

thanks everyone for the replies. I now know not to trust LFS employees for anything ID related. I will google pictures of trochus snails/anything else before I buy. Feel cheated because these snails were expensive.

I disagree with the astrea ID. I can make out faint bands, or stripping, on the shell. I think they are red banded trochus snails. Please post a picture with whites for confirmation. Blue lighting makes ID for everything nearly impossible.

There are also all white trochus snails that go by the name turban snails. These look almost identical to astreas shellwise, but trochus always have what looks like antenna sticking out from under their shells all the way around when they are active. Astrea have only their normal two antennae up front. All trochus can flip themselves but astreas can't.

Try to buy aquarium breed trochus snails. I have found that the ones that are wild caught often die more easily than ones born in an aquarium.

+1 Never thought much of this until I actually bought some tank raise, or aquacultured, snails. MUCH tougher AND longer lived. Nearly eliminated losses due to shipping plus they live 2-3 times longer in my experience. That justifies the added cost to me because I don't have buy as often and none die. LFS sell them too. If they are all the same size, then they are probably tank raised.

 

[tautog83]

Trochus have the tentacles on the sides too and usually some black on body

 

[Miami Reef]

@Bret Brinkmann here is a pic with whites.