Cerith Snail

Looks how to spot one

Spiral shell

A small to medium sea snail with a tall, pointed, tightly spiralled shell. Species differ in shell colour and markings, from bluish to yellowish and patterned forms.2

Personality what they are like

A calm, unhurried grazer that does most of its foraging at night, working over rock and sand for algae and leftovers.1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Most active at night; burrows into the sand and climbs over rocks while feeding.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Use slow drip acclimation, keep water parameters steady with low nitrate, and never use copper-based treatments in its tank.1

Home where they are happiest

An established reef or marine tank with a deep sand bed and live rock. Stable, fully marine water at about 22-26 C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity (specific gravity) 1.023-1.025 and dKH 8-12.1

Food basics what goes in the bowl

An omnivore that eats algae, detritus, leftover food and fish waste; a mature tank supplies most of its food.1

Company who they like around

Peaceful and reef compatible; works well in groups as part of a clean-up crew.1

The story where it all began

Bruguiere named the genus Cerithium in 1789, and its fossil record stretches back to the Triassic period. Today these snails are among the most common members of marine clean-up crews.21

Recognised by the official bits

Taxonomy (via Wikipedia)

Genus Cerithium, established by Bruguiere in 1789 (family Cerithiidae); over 100 living species plus about 100 fossil species.2