{"product_id":"trochus-snail-trochus-maculatus-1","title":"Trochus Snail (Trochus maculatus)","description":"\u003cp\u003eTrochus snails are one of the most valuable and reliable members of any reef cleanup crew, and for good reason. These voracious herbivores consume a wide range of nuisance growth including film algae, diatoms, and some hair algae, playing a key role in nutrient control by eating algae before it can decay and fuel further problems. Their distinctive cone-shaped shell, banded in maroon, silver, and pale grey tones, adds genuine visual interest to the aquascape, but what makes them truly stand out as a cleanup crew choice is a combination of relentless grazing performance, genuine hardiness, and one unique advantage no other popular reef snail can claim: they can right themselves if knocked over, a significant advantage over many other snail species that require constant intervention when flipped.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy we love them\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTireless algae grazers that work rockwork, glass, and equipment surfaces around the clock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardy and long-lived, often several years with good care, making them suitable for beginners and experienced reefers alike\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSelf-righting ability means far less hands-in-the-tank intervention compared to turbo or astrea snails\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKnown to spawn in aquarium environments, which is both fascinating to observe and a potential bonus for expanding your cleanup crew naturally\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFully reef safe and compatible with corals of all types\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSuggested parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperature: 24 to 26°C (75 to 79°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSalinity: 1.025 to 1.026 SG\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epH: 8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlkalinity: 8 to 10 dKH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCalcium: 400 to 450 ppm (important for healthy shell growth)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMagnesium: 1250 to 1400 ppm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNitrate: Under 20 ppm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhosphate: 0.03 to 0.12 ppm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCopper-based medications are toxic to Trochus and all invertebrates and must never be used in a system housing them\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDifficulty: Easy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReef safe: Yes, completely safe with all coral types and most ornamental invertebrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinimum tank size: 20 gallons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTrochus snails stick to hard surfaces, working rocks, glass, and overflow boxes; they typically avoid the sandbed and can be complemented nicely by cerith snails, which cover lower glass and substrate zones\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaintaining proper calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium levels is important for healthy shell growth and long-term vitality\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA well-established system with a healthy existing algae crop is ideal; a new, sterile tank may not have enough natural food to support them\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrochus snails are self-sufficient grazers in most established reef systems and require little to no supplemental feeding under normal conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnce snails have significantly reduced available algae, diet should occasionally be supplemented with an algae wafer or two dropped in during evening hours\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNori sheets clipped to the glass or rockwork are also accepted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey will also feed on leftover fish and shrimp food that drifts to lower surfaces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStocking and compatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne per five to ten gallons is a good starting density, adjusted based on degree of algal fouling and desired pace of cleanup\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompletely peaceful with fish, corals, and most ornamental invertebrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBe cautious of predators such as pufferfish, triggers, and large aggressive hermit crabs, which may target Trochus snails or attempt to steal their shells\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarger individuals can accidentally dislodge frags and unsecured corals while moving through the aquascape; gluing frags and corals to the rockwork prevents incidents\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHealth and acclimation notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrochus snails are sensitive to rapid salinity and parameter shifts during acclimation. The acclimation process should be slow, close to 1.5 hours, roughly twice the time you would spend acclimating a fish. Drip acclimation is the recommended method. Healthy snails are active grazers with intact, unblemished shells; excellent water quality and stable calcium supplementation can support natural shell repair if minor damage is noted. Never use copper-based medications in any system housing snails or other invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat you are buying\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou will receive: Trochus spp. cleanup crew snails\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShell colour and banding can vary between individuals and species; the foot is characteristically black with a pale underside\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQuantity per order as listed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrip acclimation is strongly recommended. Do not expose to copper-based medications or sudden parameter swings.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Little Shop of Coral","offers":[{"title":"Medium","offer_id":53575324500241,"sku":null,"price":6.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/5196\/6737\/files\/TrochusSnail.png?v=1779226573","url":"https:\/\/littleshopofcoral.ca\/products\/trochus-snail-trochus-maculatus-1","provider":"Little Shop of Coral","version":"1.0","type":"link"}