What Kills Turbo Snails?

Turbo snails are a hardy snail for marine aquariums. Commonly called the Mexican turbo snail, turban snail or top shell snail, turbo snails are native to warm tropical marine environments in the Gulf of Mexico in the Pacific Ocean. Turbo snails grow up to 3 inches long and are readily available at most saltwater aquarium supply stores. Turbo snails help maintain the health of your marine system by feeding on algae and detritus, but turbo snails sometimes disappear or die in home aquariums without warning.

  1. Habit

    • Turbo snails may seem to have disappeared from your marine aquarium shortly after introducing them. However, they are reclusive animals that prefer to hide in small cracks and rock crevices during day. Turbo snails emerge at night to feed on algae and other small plant matter trapped in aquarium substrate. If you suspect your turbo snail of dying because you have not seen it recently, carefully rake the substrate so that it is smooth, and look for signs of turbo snails foraging through the substrate in the morning..

    Escape

    • Turbo snails wander all around your aquarium environment at night. Turbo snails may wander out of aquariums that do not have a secure top over the enclosure. Look around the base of your aquarium for signs of the snail if your suspect they have escaped from your fish tank.

    Lack of Calcium

    • Turbo snails have a hard shell that protects them from predation from aquarium fish. The shell is composed of calcium carbonate and requires calcium levels between 350 and 450 parts per million in the aquarium water. If calcium levels are below this range, the shell becomes weak and is easily damaged, leaving the snail vulnerable to predation. Test water chemistry regularly and apply calcium supplements to the water as needed to maintain healthy growing conditions for turbo snails.

    Old Age

    • Turbo snails are difficult to breed in captive environments and the majority of snails available for purchase are caught in the wild. Turbo snails only live for one to two years and old age is one of the most common killers of turbo snails. Look for smaller specimens that are likely to be younger when purchasing turbo snails.

    Aquarium Medications

    • Any copper-based aquarium medication formulated to treat fish diseases will kill all the turbo snails in your aquarium. Always remove and treat sick fish in a separate tank to avoid killing turbo snails.