Trochus Snail

About

The Trochus snail (Trochus niloticus) is one of the most reliable and commonly recommended algae grazers in the reef aquarium hobby. Native to the Indo-Pacific, these snails are found on shallow reef flats and rocky intertidal zones where they rasp coralline algae and biofilm from hard surfaces. Exactly the work hobbyists want them doing on glass, rockwork, and substrate. They have a distinctive conical shell, somewhat like an inverted top, often with reddish and white patterning that makes them easy to recognize in the tank. One practical advantage Trochus has over some other cleanup crew snails is the ability to right itself when knocked upside down. Turbo and astrea snails often can't do this, which can turn a simple tumble into a death sentence. Trochus are generally tolerant of typical reef conditions and are considered a beginner-friendly choice for saltwater setups. They tend to be active grazers even during the day, so you'll actually see them working rather than hiding. A small group added to a new reef can make a noticeable difference in keeping nuisance algae in check, and they are generally peaceful toward corals and other tank inhabitants.