Описание
Tectus snails, often called turban snails or pyrmaid snails, are marine gastropods known for their distinctive, conical shells. They are found in various parts of the Indo-Pacific Ocean and are a common sight in saltwater aquariums.
Here's a more detailed description:
Shell:
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Shape: Conical, sometimes with a pyramidal or turreted appearance.
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Color: Typically whitish, grayish, or yellowish, often mottled or marbled with green or brown.
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Surface: May have fine oblique wrinkles, spiral rows of beads, or radiating tubercles (rounded protuberances).
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Base: Flat and often lirate (marked with concentric ridges).
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Aperture: Transverse and rhomboidal (diamond-shaped).
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Whorls: Can have 9-14 whorls, which are the spirals of the shell.
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Size: Varies between 17 mm and 50 mm,
Other features:
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Columella:
A short, vertical structure with a spiral fold, which is a thickening of the shell on the inner wall.
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Habitat:
Live in the intertidal zone and shallower waters, often found in holes and crevices of reefs.
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Diet:
Herbivorous, feeding on algae and biofilms on rocks and coral reefs.
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In aquariums:
Useful for algae control, especially for cleaning live rock and aquarium glass.
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Variations:
Different species of Tectus snails exhibit variations in shell color, surface texture, and other features
