Description
The Trochus histrio, commonly known as the Banded Trochus Snail, is a marine snail with a pale gray, pyramid-shaped shell adorned with maroon bands. It's a popular choice for reef aquariums due to its algae-eating habits and peaceful nature. These snails are reef-safe, coexisting well with most marine species, and are particularly effective at controlling film, diatom, and hair algae.
Here's a more detailed description:
Appearance:
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Shell: The shell is pale gray, pyramid-shaped, and often has maroon bands or stripes.
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Size: They are relatively small, typically reaching up to 1.5 inches in length.
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Foot: The foot is black, and the underside is off-white/tan.
Behavior and Diet:
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Algae-eating:
Trochus histrio snails are herbivores, primarily feeding on various types of algae, including brown, green, hair, and filamentous algae.
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Cleaning:
They actively forage for algae on live rocks, glass, and other surfaces, helping to maintain a clean aquarium environment.
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Peaceful:
They are peaceful snails and coexist well with most reef aquarium inhabitants.
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Supplementation:
In aquariums with limited algae, it's beneficial to supplement their diet with algae wafers or nori sheets.
Care and Maintenance:
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Water Parameters:
Maintain stable water conditions with temperatures between 72-78°F (23-26°C), pH levels of 8.1-8.4, and salinity around 1.023-1.025.
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Acclimation:
Introduce them to the aquarium gradually using a slow drip acclimation process over 1-2 hours.
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Tank Size:
They are suitable for nano tanks or larger setups, with a sandy substrate and rockwork for grazing.
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Compatibility:
They are reef-safe and generally compatible with most marine species, but should be avoided with predatory creatures like pufferfish, triggerfish, or aggressive wrasses
