Astrea Snail

Lithopoma tectum

Identification	Small, conical shell with a rough, bumpy or spiky texture. Grey-white to tan coloration. Flat on the bottom. Commonly sold as "Astraea" snail in the hobby.
Maximum Length	1 inch
Origin	Caribbean
Minimum Tank Size	10 gallons
Reef Compatibility	Excellent

Behavior

Excellent algae grazer that works well in groups as part of a cleanup crew. Hardy and long-lived. One important limitation: cannot right itself if flipped over — will starve if left upside-down on the substrate.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivore. Feeds on film algae, diatoms, and cyanobacteria coating rock and glass surfaces.

Cautions

Cannot self-right. Check regularly and flip any found upside-down. Acclimate slowly. Sensitive to copper and sudden salinity changes.