Margarita snail
Margarites pupillus
InvertebratesSaltwater
- Care level
- Moderate
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Reef safe
- Yes
- Recommended tank
- 40 L
- Maximum size
- 2.5 cm
- Temperature
- 18–24 °C
- pH
- 8–8.4
- Diet
- Herbivore
Care at a glance
The margarita snail comes from the cool waters along the North American west coast and has a small, pearly shell. It is widely sold as an algae grazer for reef tanks, but its origin is exactly the problem.
In a heated tropical aquarium it often lives only a few months, simply because the water is too warm for it. For a cooler tank it is an excellent grazer; if you want to keep a tropical reef clean, trochus or astraea snails are the better choice.
Related species
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Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.