Care guide
Caring for snails, urchins and crabs
This guide covers Trochus snail and the other species that need the same care. Ask the seller about anything particular to Trochus snail.
- Kind
- Clean-up crew
- Adult size
- About 4 cm
- Smallest tank
- 20 litres
- Water temperature
- 24–27 °C
- Salinity
- 1.023–1.026 SG
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Reef safe
- Yes
- Care level
- Easy
- Where they come from
- Usually aquacultured
- CITES
- Not listed
A clean-up crew of snails, urchins and small crabs grazes algae and leftover food. Add them gradually so there's enough to eat, and keep salinity stable.
Enough to eat
Too many grazers starve in a clean tank. Start small and add more if algae grows; feed algae wafers if needed.
Care
Acclimate slowly. Snails that fall upside down may need help righting themselves. Urchins can knock over loose coral frags; glue them down.
Emerald crabs eat bubble algae but may pick at corals or small animals as they grow.
Aquacultured crews
Trochus snails, conchs and tuxedo urchins are bred in captivity and often breed in home tanks too.
Further reading
General information to help you prepare, not veterinary advice. Every animal is different: ask an experienced vet about yours. Reviewed by PerfectPal on November 3, 2026.