maculated top shell
Trochus maculatus
Also known as: mottled topsnail
A hardworking grazer that keeps algae in check without drama.
About
The maculated top shell (Trochus maculatus) is a conical marine snail that turns up fairly regularly in the aquarium trade as an algae management tool. Its shell is a classic top-like cone, typically patterned with mottled reddish or brownish markings over a pale base, which gives rise to both its common names. In the wild, it grazes across hard substrates in shallow reef and rocky coastal environments, rasping away film algae and diatoms with a radula that makes it genuinely useful in a tank. It is not a passive decorator. It will work the rockwork and glass methodically, which is exactly what you want from a cleanup crew member. Despite being listed as intermediate in care, it is not particularly fragile compared to some reef invertebrates, but it does ask for stable, well-maintained saltwater conditions and will not tolerate sudden swings in salinity or water quality. Acclimation should be done slowly. One practical thing to know: like many top snails, it tends to tumble off rockwork and may struggle to right itself if it lands on a flat sandy bottom, so it appreciates a tank with plenty of live rock to explore. Overall a solid, purposeful addition to a reef cleanup crew.
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with maculated top shell
Frequently asked questions
- What water parameters does the maculated top shell need?
- The maculated top shell does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.
- Is the maculated top shell aggressive?
- The maculated top shell is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the maculated top shell eat?
- The maculated top shell is a herbivore. It needs a plant-based diet such as algae, blanched vegetables, or spirulina-based foods.
- Is the maculated top shell reef safe?
- The maculated top shell is generally considered reef safe.