Turbo snails - Everything you never wanted to know

T

terry

Premium Member
[First let me say that there is really only one reason for this thread. I work from 11pm-7am ALONE so I needed something to do.

When it comes to snails (and other things) I'm a dummie. We just had a group buy for cleanup critters. After it was decided that we would order from reeftopia I went to their sight. I noticed we could get some really great pricing if I purchased a package then divided it up. I posted that I would sell "turbos" to people for .36 each. Some of the people who ordered knew about snails and rightly expected Mexican Turbos. I don't think anyone was upset about the different snails just surprised.
It turns out that the mexican turbos are actually the species name "turbo". In this industry it happens all the time. Two different things with the same "common" name, or more often two different names for the same thing. The reeftopia page did say "turbos(astrea)" I left the astrea off when I posted not knowing it was needed.

Having nothing better to do I have been reading tonight. Without even looking hard I found 8 other comercial sites selling astraea snails as "turbo" snails.
I also found out (I may be the only one who didn't know this stuff) that at least one author beleives that you should acclimate snails for 5-6 hours. He says that they are delicate internally and that if they die within the first couple of weeks with no other reason it could be the acclimation.
I also did not know that the astraeas (the ones that we got) cannot right themselves if they end up on their back. We have to pay attention and help if this happens. I also read several times that the mexican turbos are a little better algae eaters but they grow to be much larger and stronger than the astraea and they are notorious for knocking things over.

That's the highlights.

I really think everyone involved was very happy with the service and condition of our order. I would recommend reeftopia to anyone who wants the items they sell.

It's about time for me to go home and go to sleep. Hope this post didn't put you to sleep.LOL]
 
[You are too funny!
Yep, the, um, "Mexican turbos" do get LARGE - they have them at Dallas World Aquarium at about 3" across! Mine have never gotten to that size, though. And they do knock things around, trying to get that algae in a tiny space. Great eaters, though!
Glad your research has benefitted you....the astreas are doing just fine in my tank, and thank you for dividing your order!]
 
[Oh, it's common that "Turbo" and "Turban" snails often get called the same things. People are not paying attention to the name.]
 
[Thanks for the info, Terry. As for me, I'm very happy with the snails. As long as they continue to eat the algae in my tank, I don't care what we call them :)]
 
[The acclimation process is important, as well as stable salinity. Mine got acclimated very slowly, as I just didn't pay much attention to them.

I floated them in my sump while I went to the dentist with my son. Then I opened my bag to let in air, and went to Cathy's to drop off her portion of the order. And during the evening, every once in a while, I'd remember they were down there and add a little tank water to the bag.

It was hours and hours before they ever got put in - 3 in one refugium, 2 in another tank, and the last one in my son's tank. Yesterday he said "Look," as he pointed to the two snails in front of his tank. "I see you got me a new snail. Thanks!" :)

I always look in my tanks, and if one snail is upside down, I right it before it becomes a meal to someone else.]
 
[well, in another few months I'm going to have a bunch of free turbos and astreas. Apparently, my turbos and astreas had a spawning event about eight weeks ago. Now I have literally hundreds of tiny turbo and astrea snails. They are everywhere. So, let me know if your interested and I'll set you up with some free "tank raised turbo babies". Weird though, the astreas do seem to be growing faster.]
 
[John - I'll gladly take all that you want to get rid of! Since the ammonia problem I've lost an awful lot of them.
Any you want to get rid of - just let me know! Gladly take 'em.]
 
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