Star Snail

About

The Astrea Snail (Astraea tecta), also called the Star Snail, is one of the most commonly recommended cleanup crew members for saltwater aquariums, and for good reason. Its conical, ridged shell has a distinctly architectural look, with angular whorls that give it that star-like profile the name references. In the wild, these snails are found in tropical Atlantic and Caribbean waters, grazing across hard substrates and keeping algae growth in check. That same behavior translates directly to the aquarium, where they move methodically across rockwork and glass, rasping away film algae and diatoms. They are particularly effective on rock surfaces and tend to outperform some other snail species in that regard. One practical thing to be aware of is that Astrea Snails struggle to right themselves if they fall onto a sandy substrate and end up upside down. If you spot one stuck on its back, flipping it over can save its life. Beyond that minor quirk, they are genuinely low-maintenance and well-suited to newer reef keepers building out their first cleanup crew. They are peaceful, reef-safe, and will not bother corals, fish, or other invertebrates.