Cerithium sp.

Datasheet

General Description

The Cerith Snail, scientifically known as Cerithium sp., boasts a striking elongated spiral shell despite its small adult size, making it a visually appealing addition to aquariums. Native to the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific regions near Mexico, these snails are efficient scavengers that help clean up detritus, excess food, fish waste, and algae from the aquarium environment. They are known to burrow in sand, aiding in oxygenation of the substrate.

Aquarium Suitability

Cerith Snails are suitable for aquariums, especially larger, well-established reef setups with deep sand beds. They are peaceful in temperament and typically active at night, contributing to the overall cleanliness of the tank.

Care and Hardiness

Considered easy to care for, Cerith Snails do require stable water parameters to thrive, with ideal conditions including a pH range of 8.1-8.4, a specific gravity of 1.023-1.025, and a carbonate hardness of 8-12 dKH. These invertebrates are sensitive to high nitrate levels and copper-based medications, making water quality maintenance crucial for their well-being. An acclimation process, preferably via drip acclimation, is recommended due to their sensitivity to rapid changes in water conditions.

Reef Suitability

Cerith Snails are reef-compatible, making them a beneficial addition to reef aquariums where they can aid in substrate aeration and algae control without posing a threat to coral or other invertebrates.

Aquarium Setup

When housing Cerith Snails, ensure the tank has ample live rock for grazing, a deep sand bed for burrowing, and suitable hiding spots for these nocturnal creatures. Providing a stable environment with consistent water parameters will help support their health and activity levels.

Behaviour

Peaceful in nature, Cerith Snails are most active during the night, scavenging for food and assisting in maintaining the cleanliness of the aquarium. They may exhibit burrowing behavior in the substrate, contributing to the oxygenation of the sand bed.

Feeding and Diet

As omnivores, Cerith Snails have a diverse diet that includes detritus, algae, uneaten food, and fish waste. Their feeding habits make them valuable cleaners in the aquarium, helping to prevent the buildup of organic matter and maintaining water quality.

Dimorphism

Cerith Snails lack notable dimorphic characteristics, making it challenging to distinguish between males and females. Their breeding habits involve laying eggs on aquarium glass under the cover of darkness, though successful captive reproduction is rare due to unknown water parameter requirements.