Tectus Snails

Tectus snails are night shift workers, ready to tackle algae in your reef tank.

They will eat various types of unwanted algae growth but shouldn’t be solely relied on to remedy tanks with more severe algae problems.

Unfortunately, Tectus snails can struggle to right themselves if overturned, which may require your intervention. So please keep reading to learn how to create the ideal environment for these helpful invertebrates and maximize their benefits in your tank.

What Tectus Snails Look Like

Tectus snails have pyramid-shaped shells that are visibly different from other similar snail species and can grow up to 2.5 inches tall.

Their shells have a rough, bumpy texture and often have a star-like pattern or checkerboard appearance in shades of white, tan, or brown. But you’ll most often see their shells covered in various colored algae.

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Another way to identify them is that their white foot is dotted with black spots, which you can see when they’re on the move.

They’re sometimes confused with:

• Astraea snails are the closer look-a-like but don’t have as tall of a shell and have more defined ridges.
• Trochus snails have a more pronounced conical shape and smoother shells.
• Turbo snails have a rounder, smoother shell.

Diet and Feeding

Tectus are nocturnal grazers that spend their nights combing through your tank, eating various forms of nuisance algae, including:

• Green algae
• Diatoms
• Cyanobacteria (in small amounts)
• Detritus

While Tectus snails are efficient eaters, they rarely compete directly with other algae-eating. Their nocturnal habits often complement the daytime grazing of other cleanup crew members.

If algae become scarce, you can supplement their diet with:

• Nori sheets
• Algae wafers
• Blanched vegetables (like spinach)

Tectus snails are strictly herbivorous and won’t harm your corals directly or other tank mates, making them a safe addition to almost any reef setup. As with other large snails, there’s always the chance that they are going after some algae around corals and end up dislodging or knocking them over.

Tank Setup

These snails need plenty of live rock because it’s not just their preferred dining surface but also provides hiding spots during daylight hours.

Moderate to high lighting isn’t for the snails themselves, but it encourages algae growth.

I’ve seen Tectus snails graze along the waterline where all the goodies collect and grow, but I’ve never seen one climb out of a tank.

How many Tectus snails can you add to your reef tank? One snail per 5-10 gallons of water is a good start in a mature tank.

Water Parameters and Acclimation

Here’s a quick reference table for their ideal water parameters:

Parameter	Ideal Range
Temperature	72-78°F (22-26°C)
Salinity	1.023-1.025 sg
pH	8.1-8.4
Alkalinity	8-12 dKH
Calcium	400-450 ppm
Magnesium	1250-1350 ppm
Nitrates	< 10 ppm
Phosphates	< 0.03 ppm

Nitrates are bad for invertebrates in general, so keep that under control. Maintaining proper calcium and alkalinity levels is most important for healthy shell growth.

Acclimating your new Tectus snails:

1. Float the bag in your tank for about 15 minutes to equalize the temperature. Keep the lights off to avoid superheating the bag.
2. Quickly transfer the snail directly into the tank, discarding the shipping water in the toilet.
3. Place the snail gently on a rock or the substrate, avoiding bright light if possible.

Keep these precautions in mind:

• Avoid copper-based medications and pest dips, which are incredibly toxic to invertebrates.
• Give them time to acclimate – they may take a few days to become fully active.

Behavior And Tank Mates

Tectus snails are peaceful, nocturnal creatures. During the day, they often retreat to shaded crevices, though you might spot an occasional daytime wanderer.

They don’t interact much with other tank inhabitants, and their slow, steady movements make them easy targets, so be careful when selecting your tank mates.

Suitable tank mates:

• Most peaceful reef fish
• Other non-aggressive invertebrates
• Corals and other sessile invertebrates

Species to avoid:

• Pufferfish and triggerfish (known snail predators)
• Large, aggressive wrasses
• Mantis shrimp
• Hermits (with caution)

Breeding and Reproduction

Tectus snails can reproduce in your reef tank but don’t expect their population to explode. Their slow reproduction rate means you’ll likely need to add new snails periodically to maintain your cleanup crew.

If you do notice an increase in snail numbers, it’s usually not a big deal. If you find yourself with too many, just rehome a few snails. There’s always someone looking for snails!

The worst part of keeping large populations of snails is when they occasionally release gametes into the water, causing temporary cloudiness.

Your filtration system should take care of it within a few hours. If you have a smaller system like a pico or nano tank, you’ll probably want to do a partial water change after any corals you have had their fill.

Tectus Snail Tips

Keeping your Tectus snails healthy is straightforward, but you’ll need to watch for:

• Retraction: If a snail stays withdrawn for days, it’s a red flag.
• Shell damage: Cracks or chips need attention to prevent infections.
• Inactivity: Healthy snails should be mobile at night.
• Falling frequently: This could indicate water quality issues.

Common problems include shell erosion from low pH or calcium levels. Iodine deficiency can also occur, causing lethargy. In either case, I’d go with quarantining the sick snail.

Can You Keep Tectus Snails In A Reef Jar?

Tectus snails in a reef jar? It’s a tempting idea, but I’d advise against it.

Tectus snails can grow up to 2.5 inches, which is a lot of space in a pico tank. That’s like having a Great Dane in a studio apartment. They need room to roam and graze.

Pico reefs often lack the abundant algae growth Tectus snails need. You’d likely have to supplement their diet constantly, which can be tricky. Instead, consider a nano-sized snail like a Stomatella for your matured reef jar.