Pyramid top snail
Tectus fenestratus
Also known as Tectus Snail, Fenestrate Top Shell, Grazer Shell, False Trochus Snail, Latticed Top Shell
SaltwaterSnail
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 2 in
- 5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 11 gal
- 40 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Tegulidae
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific, grazing rock and rubble on shallow reef flats.
Overview
The pyramid top snail is a peaceful algae grazer for a reef tank, and a good snail for beginners.
Did you know
The pyramid top snail can usually flip itself upright if it lands on its shell. Many turbo snails cannot, and they can die stranded on their backs.
Caring for the pyramid top snail
Give one or a few pyramid top snails at least 11 gal (40 L), with mature rock and algae to graze. Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. They are peaceful, fine alone or in a group and completely reef safe.
The pyramid top snail eats diatoms, film algae, hair algae and some cyanobacteria off hard surfaces. It is a tough grazer that works the rock, glass and sand, mostly at night. In a very clean tank it can run short of food, so offer dried algae if the rock looks bare.
Good to know
Tectus fenestratus belongs to the top shell family Tegulidae. It is closely related to the trochus snails sold for the same cleanup job. It has a tall, cone-shaped shell with a flat base, often patched with algae that helps it blend into the rock.
In the wild
The pyramid top snail comes from the Indo-Pacific, where it grazes rock and rubble on shallow reef flats.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The pyramid top snail is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Harlequin shrimp
Hymenocera picta
Saltwater2 in (5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Barber goby
Elacatinus figaro
Saltwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Neon goby
Elacatinus oceanops
Saltwater2 in (5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Sexy shrimp
Thor amboinensis
Saltwater1.2 in (3 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Blackline fang blenny
Meiacanthus nigrolineatus
Saltwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Pajama cardinalfish
Sphaeramia nematoptera
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a pyramid top snail need?
A pyramid top snail needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a pyramid top snail need?
A pyramid top snail is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does a pyramid top snail eat?
A pyramid top snail grazes diatoms, film algae, hair algae and some cyanobacteria off hard surfaces. In a very clean tank, offer it dried algae as well.
How big does a pyramid top snail get?
An adult pyramid top snail reaches about 2 in (5 cm).
Related species
2.4 in (6 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Mexican turbo snail
Turbo fluctuosus
2.4 in (6 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)
1.6 in (4 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Cerith snail
Cerithium sp.
1.6 in (4 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Tiger / strawberry conch
Conomurex luhuanus
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3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Fighting conch
Strombus alatus
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1.2 in (3 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Ring cowrie
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1.2 in (3 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Trochus snail
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