Species Name: Astraea tectum

Authority: (Lightfoot, 1786)

Common Name: American Star-Shell/Astraea Snail

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Florida, Caribbean

Natural Environment: Inhabits grass beds, mid-intertidal zones and rocks on upper reef areas

General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 72 to 79°F (22 - 26°C). Smaller than the turbo/turban species, and much more long lasting in aquaria. They are excellent algae grazers, especially brown diatom algae. Because of their small size, about 1 inch (2.5 cm), they are less apt to knock things over. Yet, more is needed, with one per three gallons my recommendation. Much more hardy then the turban species. Similar in appearance to other Astraea species.

Potential Controller Of:
Diatoms Stringy Growth
Diatom Coating
Derbesia marina
Derbesia species 2
Derbesia species 1
Padina pavonica
Padina australis
Padina species
Lobophora variegata (Brown Wafer Algae)
Ostreobium species