Does anyone own any star snails (astralium phoebium, astralium calcar, ninja star snail)? The lfs told me they love zoanthus. They are neat little snails, native to reefs unlike many other snails you can find at the lfs. I'm having a hard time finding true native reef snails. I found some of these star snails online, but don't want to purchase them if they eat zoanthus. Haven't found anything online about them liking it. The sources I find say they are great reef snails. Any imput of these guys would be great. Please reply if you have owned them, or are knowledgable of them, and tell me what you think about them. Any other snails native to reefs available? I got some cerith snails, they are small little guys who can get in-between the rocks. These turbo snails they sell are much too big for a reef other snails fall upside down and die because they are meant for near shore not rocky terrain. What other snails are out they that are easily purchased? Thanks for imput on snails. Trying to build a more realistic reef environment.
RyanH
are you just looking for better clean up crew critter?
there is very little info about those snails. snails can be very specific feeders. it is not out of the question that a species would eat zoathids. do you have zoathids?
for snails that can get anywhere i would look into acquiring Stomatella snails.
G~
there is very little info about those snails. snails can be very specific feeders. it is not out of the question that a species would eat zoathids. do you have zoathids?
for snails that can get anywhere i would look into acquiring Stomatella snails.
G~
No I do not have any zoanthus, but do plan to add some. I'm starting my first tank and i am finishing off my clean up crew. I currently only have two fish and a small small Encrusting Gorgonian Frag. I did a Lot of snail/clean up crew research and wanted to get true reef snails. Turbos get large and plow threw your tank and knock over rock structures. Most Trochus or astrea snails are two tall and cone shape making it so they can't get between rocks and tip over and can't rescue themselves. Nerites are coastal snails and climb out and are not truely suited for rock work I have 6 cerith snails and 3 turbos (which I plan to rid of if they get larger). I was trying to create the best and most natural to a reef, clean up crew I could. The astrealium calcar/phoebium being one or the few "reef snails" I could find. Any other suggestions. I really like the star snails there are neat looking little critters. I was hoping someone had experience with them and would tell me no they don't eat zoanthus cause I want both the snails and zoan...
I am new to the hobby so I may not have all my facts straight. Just what I've read in the past couple days. I find lots conflicting info and come to my own best conclusions from puts all the info I can find together. One of the most conflicting things I find is how many snails to have, help and opinion here would be nice as well. I'm trying to do thing slowly and correctly from the start and not rush into it.
there could be a reason why you are not able to find reef snail. 
on the outer reefs, where the SPS are located algae is generally not able to grow. the environment is to oligotrophic (nutrient poor) so algae is not able live, so there are not any snails living there that eat algae. there may be many snails there that eat other biofilms, but not necessarily algae. in Eutrophic (nutrient rich) environments there is algae. in these environments is also where the algae eating snails are located.
would you think that a snail that would live around corals to remove algae would evolve in a way to be to big and clumsy to get the job done?
G~
on the outer reefs, where the SPS are located algae is generally not able to grow. the environment is to oligotrophic (nutrient poor) so algae is not able live, so there are not any snails living there that eat algae. there may be many snails there that eat other biofilms, but not necessarily algae. in Eutrophic (nutrient rich) environments there is algae. in these environments is also where the algae eating snails are located.
would you think that a snail that would live around corals to remove algae would evolve in a way to be to big and clumsy to get the job done?
G~
Great points there Geoff. Like I said I am new to the hobby. Makes me think my lfs was correct about these star snails eating zoanthus when you put it that way. So far in my 72 gallon bow front I have 6 cerith 3 turbo (2 zebra 1 Mexican) and 2 narrates. What else snail wise should I add? Prefer not to get the snail sand sifting snails (want my live sand bed critters to stay put). How many do I need. I've read 1 pet gallon on smaller types 1 per 5 on larger types (turbos). Seems like a lot. Also read that is too many and some will starve. Current not much to eat in my tank beside live rock die off, which their is plenty of.
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