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
- 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
Add one or a few to a tank of 40 litres or more at 24 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4 with mature rock and algae to graze. It eats diatoms, film algae, hair algae, and some cyanobacteria off hard surfaces and is completely reef safe. In a very clean tank it can run short of food, so offer dried algae if the rock looks bare.
In the wild
The pyramid top snail has a tall, cone-shaped shell with a flat base, often patched with algae that helps it blend into the rock. It is a tough, no-nonsense grazer that works the rock, glass, and sand for algae. The shell reaches around 5 cm at full size.
Good to know
Tectus fenestratus belongs to the top shell family Tegulidae and is closely related to the trochus snails sold for the same cleanup job. It grazes mostly at night and can usually right itself if it tips over, unlike many turbo snails.
Did you know
Unlike many turbo snails, which can die stranded on their backs, it can usually flip itself upright if it lands on its shell.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
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.
Percula clownfish
Amphiprion percula
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Harlequin shrimp
Hymenocera picta
Saltwater2 in (5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Tiger goby
Tigrigobius macrodon
Saltwater2 in (5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Astraea turbo snail
Astraea tecta
Saltwater1 in (2.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Ocellaris clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Camel / dancing shrimp
Rhynchocinetes durbanensis
Saltwater2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–81°F (24–27°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.
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
2.8 in (7 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Fighting conch
Strombus alatus
3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
1.2 in (3 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Ring cowrie
Monetaria annulus
1.2 in (3 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
1.2 in (3 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Trochus snail
Trochus sp.
1.2 in (3 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)