Skip to content
reefcalcs

Invertebrates

beginner

Turbo snail care

Turbo fluctuosus (Mexican turbo) and other Turbo spp. · Turbinidae (turban snails)

Also called: Mexican turbo snail, turban snail, Turbo fluctuosa, turbo grazer

Checked against 3 sources on · reefcalcs editorial

Quick reference

Care level

Beginner

Adult size

About 2 in in the trade; wild shells reach 8.6 cm (3.3 in)[1, 2, 3]

Lifespan

No reliable source found

Reef safe

Yes[1, 2]

Diet

Herbivore: algae, especially hair algae; dried seaweed as a supplement[1, 2]

Tank size

Neither LiveAquaria nor Quality Marine gives a minimum; both want an established tank with plenty of rock to graze.[1, 2] We found no reliable snails-per-gallon figure.

Temperature

72–78 °F (LiveAquaria, Quality Marine)[1, 2]

Salinity

35 ppt (SG 1.0264 at 25 °C)

pH

8.0–8.4

What are turbo snails?

Turbo fluctuosus is an eastern Pacific turban snail found from Cedros Island in Baja California to Peru, throughout the Sea of Cortez, from the intertidal zone to about 130 feet, usually on or under rocks.[3] Quality Marine describes it as brown, green and white, with a rounder shell than other turbos, growing to about 2 inches,[2] and says turbos ravenously consume algae.[2]

Sold as Turbo fluctuosa or fluctuosus, and as turbo grazers or chevron snails.[1, 2]

Feeding

LiveAquaria says it's particularly fond of hair algae and will consume mass quantities of it, and to supplement with dried seaweed if there isn't enough algae.[1] Quality Marine suggests dried algae or vegetable-based pellets.[2] Quality Marine advises adding them to established tanks with plenty of rock to graze.[2]

Aggression and spacing

Peaceful.[1, 2]

Tankmates

Reef safe.[1, 2] LiveAquaria says it's very sensitive to copper-based medications and high nitrate levels,[1] and Quality Marine says invertebrates don't tolerate copper.[2]

Disease and quarantine

LiveAquaria warns that it's very sensitive to copper and high nitrate, so keep nitrate in check and treat fish in a separate tank.[1]

Troubleshooting

Snails dying one after another

Likely cause: Starvation in a tank with too little algae, copper, or high nitrate.[1, 2]

Fix: Feed dried seaweed, test nitrate, never use copper in the display.[1, 2]

Hair algae still growing

Likely cause: Too few grazers for the nutrient load.[1]

Fix: Turbos help, but reduce nitrate and phosphate at the source too.

Common mistakes

  • •Adding a big group to a new tank with no algae.[2, 1]
  • •Treating the display with copper.[1, 2]
  • •Not supplementing when algae runs out.[1]

Sponsor this page

Equipment & food for this species

Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, reefcalcs earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Inverts need stable salinity — use a refractometer, not a hydrometer.

PE Mysis Shrimp — frozen

Frozen mysis shrimp.

See options on Amazon
Refractometer for saltwater + calibration fluid

Calibrate with 35 ppt fluid monthly. Replaces hydrometers.

See options on Amazon

Turbo snail FAQ

Do turbo snails eat hair algae?
Yes: LiveAquaria says the Mexican turbo is particularly fond of hair algae and eats it in quantity.[1]
How big do turbo snails get?
About 2 inches in the trade;[1, 2] wild Turbo fluctuosus shells reach 8.6 cm (3.3 in).[3]
Are turbo snails reef safe?
Yes, according to LiveAquaria and Quality Marine.[1, 2]
What do turbo snails eat when the algae is gone?
Dried seaweed, or dried algae and vegetable-based pellets.[1, 2]
Where do Mexican turbo snails come from?
The eastern Pacific, from Baja California to Peru, including the Sea of Cortez.[3]

Sources

  1. LiveAquaria — Mexican turbo snail (retailer care sheet)
  2. Quality Marine — Turbo snail (wholesaler care sheet)
  3. Mexican-Fish.com — Fluctuating turban, Turbo fluctuosus

Spotted something out of date? The corrections log lists every change we make.

Related

Last reviewed