Description

🐌 Cerith Snail — Description & Care Guide

📌 Scientific Name: Cerithium spp.

📌 Common Name: Cerith Snail

📌 Origin: Widespread — Indo-Pacific, Caribbean, and Western Atlantic

📌 Type: Marine Gastropod (Saltwater Snail)

🔍 Description

• Shell Shape: Long, slender, and spiraled shell — often ridged or bumpy.

• Size: 1 to 2 inches (2.5–5 cm), depending on species.

• Color: Varies from dark brown to light tan; often camouflaged with algae or sand.

• Behavior: Mostly nocturnal and shy. Burrows in sand during the day, active at night.

🧪 Aquarium Care

🏠 Tank Size

• No minimum size; suitable for nano tanks and larger reef setups.

• Add 1 snail per 5–10 gallons for effective cleanup.

🌡️ Water Parameters

• Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)

• pH: 8.1–8.4

• Salinity: 1.023–1.025 SG

• Nitrates/Ammonia: Keep near zero — sensitive to poor water quality.

🍽️ Diet & Feeding

• Primary Diet:

  • Algae (especially film and diatoms)

  • Detritus (decaying matter)

  • Uneaten food

• Supplement: Can be fed algae wafers or blanched vegetables (e.g., zucchini) if algae is scarce.

🛑 Note: Will not harm corals, fish, or other inverts — completely reef-safe.

🐚 Behavior & Benefits

• Burrowers: Aerate the sandbed by digging — helps prevent dead spots and keeps substrate clean.

• Clean-Up Crew: Great for reducing algae, leftover food, and waste.

• Peaceful: Non-aggressive; can coexist with almost all reef inhabitants.

🧼 Tank Compatibility

• Ideal in reef tanks, community saltwater aquariums, and macroalgae tanks.

• Compatible with:

  • Other snails (e.g., Nassarius, Trochus)

  • Hermit crabs (be cautious — some may attack for shells)

  • Shrimp, fish, corals

❗ Care Tips

• Acclimate Slowly: Sensitive to salinity and pH changes; use drip acclimation.

• Calcium: Needs proper calcium levels (380–450 ppm) for shell health.

• Lid Recommended: Can crawl out of open-top tanks.