The Mexican Turbo Snail originates from the waters around Mexico, and strangely named the Mexican Turbo Snail. They are named as Turbo as it is turban-shaped shell with an iridescent design. The Mexican Turbo Snail is indigenous to Gulf of California off the coast of Mexico. They love to hide in crevices and holes around live rocks, so it is advisable to keep large rocks in the reef tank. They can hide as well as they can feed on tiny organisms on it. The Mexican Turbo Snail should be kept in an aquarium of at least 20 gallons in size that provides plenty of living space for them. They are particularly herbivorous and mainly feed on algae, diatoms, and Cyano Bacteria as well as scavenging around the aquarium.
When a snail moves across the glass, it can be observed that its radula or tongue has a rasp like texture, which pulls the algae loose for a quick snack. The Mexican Turbo Snail is peace loving and can be kept easily in any aquarium. They should never be kept with aggressive tank mates who can quickly overcome this slow-moving creature. The Mexican Turbo Snail does not need any kind of special care. They remove lot of algae from the aquarium glass and rocks, hence keep the surroundings clean and clear. Additional Calcium can help them to develop their protective shell but, like other invertebrates, the Mexican Turbo Snail is very sensitive to nitrates and copper based medications. It is also very intolerant of any small fluctuations in water parameters. The Mexican Turbo Snail is considered as grazers as they are voracious eaters for several types of micro algae found in the home aquarium.
The Mexican Turbo Snail, a.k.a. Trochus Snail or Turbo Grazer, is a very powerful algae eater. These snails can be placed directly on algae patches, including cyanobacteria, and you can watch as they mow right through the algae. These snails are nocturnal and do most of their work at night. They will forage on diatoms and cyano that grows on live rock and aquarium glass. These snails will continue to grow their shell over time, if the aquarium is kept at proper calcium levels. More than one can be kept in each aquarium to keep algae growth down. Keep one per 20 gallons.Snails belong to a Class known as Gastropods, which make up the largest class of Mollusks. Snails grow by increasing their swirling body while producing a protective shell. This shell protects their soft body from predators. They will use a pad, or foot, that extends from their shell which allows them to drag their shell along. As they drag their shell often times their mouth and eyes can be seen coming out from the opening of the shell. When frightened or sleeping this opening can be protected by an operculum, which is a hard protective cover that acts like a door to the shell. Snail identification is based on the color, shape, and pattern of their shell.
