Astraea/Turbos

Critter Spotlight: Turbo fluctuosus

Photo Credit: Bob Goemans

The family Turbinidae probably contains the most useful of all snail species. And I must say I was among the first hobbyists to utilize the Turbo species in aquaria, as I started bringing them back from trips to Mexico in the early 1980's. When I found them doing such a good job in controlling unwanted algae, I mention this to a person who owned a local aquarium shop. He began collecting them himself in Mexico and began selling them as Turbo-Grazers. From there the use of snails in aquaria blossomed, and now includes many other useful species.

Family Turbinidae

• Astraea americanum (American Turbo)
• Astraea phoebia (Star Snail)
• Astraea tectum (American Star-Shell/Astraea Snail)
• Turbo castenea (Turbo/Turban/Chevron Snail)
• Turbo fluctuosus (Turbo/Turban/Chevron Snail)
• Turbo heisei (Orange Turbo/Turban Snail)