Red Banded Trochus Snail

Red Banded Trochus Snail: The Cleanup Workhorse

The Red Banded Trochus Snail (Trochus histrio) is a highly valued member of the aquarium clean-up crew, prized by aquarists of all experience levels for its peaceful nature and exceptional algae-grazing capabilities. It belongs to the Trochidae family, giving it a distinctive, pyramid-shaped shell that is typically pale gray and adorned with attractive maroon or purple stripes.

Unlike some other common snails, one of the Banded Trochus Snail's most significant advantages is its ability to right itself when it falls or is knocked over by fish or water flow, greatly increasing its survival rate in the home aquarium. It is a tireless herbivore, constantly grazing on live rock, glass, and the substrate.

While hardy, the Banded Trochus Snail requires a well-established aquarium with stable water parameters, particularly low nitrate levels. It is also completely intolerant of copper-based medications.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: This snail is a dedicated Herbivore and an essential part of the clean-up crew. It naturally grazes on common nuisance algae, including diatoms, green film algae, and cyanobacteria. It is less effective on tougher, mature hair algae.
• Feeding: In established tanks with sufficient algae growth, the Banded Trochus Snail may not require supplemental feeding. If the algae is depleted, its diet should be supplemented with dried seaweed (Nori), algae wafers, or high-quality vegetable flakes to prevent starvation. They are mostly nocturnal and will graze primarily at night.
• Reef Compatibility: Yes. This snail is 100% reef-safe and poses no threat to corals, motile invertebrates, or other cleanup crew members. Its grazing activity benefits coral health by preventing algae from settling and smothering them.
• Temperament: Peaceful. They are ideal community tank inhabitants. The only compatibility concerns are predators. Avoid housing them with Pufferfish, Triggerfish, certain aggressive Wrasses, and predatory crustaceans like the Arrow Crab or larger hermit crabs that may try to steal their shell.
• Reproduction: These snails are known to reproduce sexually in the home aquarium, often releasing clouds of white gametes into the water column, particularly following large water changes or shifts in lighting.

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Trochus histrio
• Primary Common Name: Banded Trochus Snail
• Other Common Names: Trochus Turbo Snail, Top Shell, Actor Top
• Origin: Indo-Pacific (Widespread)
• Max Size: 1 – 1.5 inches (2.5 – 4 cm)
• Temperament: Peaceful (Sessile Herbivore)
• Diet: Herbivore (Primarily Diatoms, Film Algae, and Cyanobacteria)
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 Gallons (20+ for established reef)
• Reef Compatibility: Yes (Excellent clean-up crew member)