Astraea snail (Lithopoma tectum) care guide

Group

Snails

Other names

Astraea tecta, Astraea tectum, West Indian starsnail, Astraea turbo snail, Lithopoma tecta, Trochus tectus

Family

Turbinidae

Origin

Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Lesser Antilles and Atlantic coast of Brazil, 0–10 m

Water

saltwater

Maximum size

6.3 cm

Temperature

22–26°C

pH

8.1–8.4

Hardness

dKH 8–12, SG 1.023–1.025

Minimum tank

40 litres

Care level

beginner

Reef safe

yes

Care

The astraea snail, or West Indian starsnail, is one of the most common reef clean-up crew snails. It has a solid, cone-shaped shell with crinkled ridges, reddish-orange to greenish and often coated with coralline algae. Aquarium snails are usually 1.5–2.5 cm, though the species can reach about 6.3 cm. LiveAquaria sells it as Astraea tecta, an older name; the accepted name is Lithopoma tectum. Tank set-up: an established reef or fish tank with live rock and hiding places; it does poorly in brand-new tanks with no algae. It is sensitive to high nitrate and copper, and needs slow drip acclimatisation over several hours. Calcium and trace elements help shell growth. Water: about 22–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, dKH 8–12 and specific gravity 1.023–1.025. Clean-up crew: it grazes hair algae (LiveAquaria notes some snails eat the whole tuft), diatoms, film algae and cyanobacteria from rock and glass. It cannot right itself well when it falls on its back on sand, so turn over any snail you find upside down or it may die or be eaten. It is a poor climber compared with smaller snails. Once algae runs out it can starve, so do not overstock, and supplement with dried seaweed or algae wafers. Hermit crabs may kill it for its shell, so keep spare empty shells if you have hermits. Copper: copper-based medicines are toxic to shrimp, snails and most invertebrates, and some plant fertilisers carry copper too. Never treat a display tank holding this animal with copper; treat fish in a separate hospital tank, and drip-acclimatise new arrivals slowly. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/astraea-turbo-snail); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithopomatectum). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Herbivore. Hair algae, diatoms, film algae and cyanobacteria. If algae is scarce, offer dried seaweed (nori), algae wafers, or blanched spinach or lettuce.

Breeding

Sexes are separate and it is a broadcast spawner: males and females release sperm and eggs into the water, often at night, which can briefly cloud the water. The larvae drift in the plankton and are almost never raised in home aquariums.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and fully reef safe; it does not harm corals or other animals. At risk from hermit crabs (keep spare shells), triggers, puffers, large wrasses and some crabs. Starfish such as some Asterias-type stars eat snails.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.