SNAIL YES! Your favorite snails & why you love them!

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I recently ordered 250 snails for my 450g system......yea hair algae BAD!

Ya I know we've only talked about this a couple million times but a fresh discussion about important topics can't be bad right?! Plus we want to hear from people who have yet to chime in on this subject. So it's time to come out of your shell and tell us about your favorite snail and more importantly is why! We need an answer for both of the following questions.

1. WHAT is your favorite snail?

2. WHY is your favorite snail your favorite?

snail image via @DaveFe

 

[Billldg]

Red banded trochus snails. They are all over the tank constantly eating algae. Plus, it’s funny watching them flip themselves back over, LOL!!!

 

[Crabs McJones]

I love Trochus and Stomatella snails. Currently working on getting Stomatellas but not having much luck, nobody sells them. If you have any hit me up lol!

 

[hotdrop]

I have 10 snails in a 40 gal. I honestly don’t know if they do anything, the glass isn’t any cleaner after they pass by but somehow they are still alive so idk.

 

[Quietman]

Astrea...algae eating machines are my favorite. Plus they make me feel needed, always flipping over and waiting for me to save them! Although thinking about it, they really haven't flipped over as much lately as when first placed...hmmmm.

Love the ability to select different species for different functions though..glass, sand bed, algae, detritus.

 

[Goose91]

I have 5 bumble bee snails. They are small. But have yet to be able to tell just exactly what it is they are doing. Anyone have and details on the bees?

 

[Schnizzle]

I love Trochus and Stomatella snails. Currently working on getting Stomatellas but not having much luck, nobody sells them. If you have any hit me up lol!

I had been on the hunt and lucked out. The not so LFS had them crawling around in a few tanks. I mentioned I could never find them for sale. He told me they are not for sale as he plucked three mammoths off the glass and dropped in with my trumpet coral.

I like my nassarius for keeping the sand bed stirred. I can't keep a conch alive for some reason.

 

[Brew12]

I keep around 200 to 300 snails of a variety in my 187g system. I also keep a few urchins and 30ish hermit crabs along with 2 or 3 smaller conchs.

Snails are important to me, but not critical. Other CuC members can fill their role. For example, if I were fighting a hair algae outbreak I would consider adding a Dolabella Sea Hare instead of snails. Much more effective imo. I like snails for preventing problems, not solving them.

 

[Dempsey941]

Trochus, nassarius, and cerith snails. All you’ll ever need.

 

[Brew12]

snail image via @DaveFe

On a separate note, have you ever considered learning how to use a camera so you can take your own pics? ;Troll

 

[Seanislav]

I vote Trochus. I cannot be home all the time to flip Astrea and turbo snails back on to their feet when the little klutzes fall off stuff. Unfortunately, I have three different Halichoeres wrasses (4.5" Checkerboard, 3.5" timorensis, and a 4" melanurus) in my 300, so snails don't fare well...even the conches were rather quickly dispatched.

 

[Iván Olalla]

Nassarius, turbos, trochus and my favorite: fighting conch, a behemot stirring sand!

 

[S2G]

If I had to pick just one it would be trochus. Good all around workhorse except for sandbed.

I like fighting conch for sand cleaning duty

 

[Snuggs]

I have 5 bumble bee snails. They are small. But have yet to be able to tell just exactly what it is they are doing. Anyone have and details on the bees?

Bumble bees don’t eat algae

 

[Snuggs]

Love nerite...if only they weren’t such travelers! Asters are second

 

[psychobilly07]

Trochus, nassarrius, and margaritas are the 3 prevalent snails in my tank there are also a few turbos and astreas

 

[sfin52]

I have a fighting conch for the sand bed and a seahare for any algae that might pop up. I've had the seahare for well over a year. No problems growing algae.

 

[Hallowhead]

I love mexican turbo snails... I have to try the trochus snail though.

 

[Nate h]

I enjoy seeing the nassarius snail climb out of the send and go searching for any food it can find.

 

[iTzJu]

Trochus, Turbos, and Astera .. best combo imho