Brown turbo snail (Turbo bruneus) care guide

Group
Snails
Other names
Brown dwarf turban, Little burnt turbo, Turbo brunneus, Lunatica brunneus, Turbo snail
Family
Turbinidae
Origin
Red Sea, Indo-Pacific and Western Pacific, including the Philippines and Western Australia, on reefs, rocky shores and seagrass beds
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
5 cm
Temperature
23–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12, SG 1.023–1.025
Minimum tank
75 litres
Care level
beginner
Reef safe
yes
Lifespan
2–5 years

Care

The brown turbo snail is a small turban snail with a glossy, polished brown, rounded and cone-shaped shell, usually 2–5 cm. It lives on coral reefs, rocky shores and seagrass beds from the Red Sea across the Indo-Pacific, down to about 30 m but most often at 5–10 m. Its original name was Lunatica brunneus, and it is sometimes spelt Turbo brunneus. Set-up: an established reef or fish-only tank with plenty of live rock to graze. Water figures here are general reef guidance rather than from a source. Aim for 23–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, dKH 8–12, SG 1.023–1.025 and adequate calcium. Acclimatise slowly; turbos do not cope with sudden salinity changes. Clean-up crew: turbo snails are among the best grazers of hair algae and film algae on rock and glass. As general guidance, start with one per 40–75 litres and add more only if algae persists. Turbos can starve once the algae is gone, so feed dried seaweed in a clean tank. Larger turbos are strong enough to push over loose rock and frags, so glue frags down. A snail that falls on its back on sand may not right itself; turn it over. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most other invertebrates. Never treat a tank holding them with copper, check the label of any fertiliser or medicine, and keep nets and buckets used for copper-treated tanks separate. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbobruneus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Mainly a herbivore that scrapes seaweed, hair algae, film algae and diatoms off surfaces. When food is short it also eats small crustaceans and other invertebrates. Feed dried nori or algae wafers when algae runs low.

Breeding

Sexes are separate. Males release sperm into the water, and females lay hundreds of eggs in a jelly mass on hard surfaces. The larvae swim freely before settling, so young rarely survive in home tanks, though spawning may cloud the water briefly.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe and peaceful. Can knock over loose rock and frags. Eaten by hermit crabs (which also want its shell), larger crabs, triggers, puffers and some wrasses.

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

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.