Difference between trochus and astrea snails??

[bimmer88]

Just went to the LFS today and picked up a few of what was sold as "astrea" snails. These are some pretty big astrea snails... bigger than the usual ones i've been buying. when i do a google for images, these look more like trochus than astrea to me. What are the ways to differentiate between the two??? I think i'll be buying some more if they're trochus :cool:

[Korrine]

See if this helps

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rs/index.php

[bimmer88]

here is a picture...

[Korrine]

Do you have any more photos that are regular size and not thumb nails? It looks like a trochus to me at a glance, but I'm not a snail expert.

Look at that website and see what you think according to those pics.

[bimmer88]

Do you have any more photos that are regular size and not thumb nails? It looks like a trochus to me at a glance, but I'm not a snail expert.

Look at that website and see what you think according to those pics.

I've edited the post and there is now a bigger picture

[Korrine]

I did post it in the wrong one. Sorry have more than 1 window open :o

[bimmer88]

think u posted that in the wrong thread =P

[dwd5813]

that does look more like a trochus to me at first glance. grab it and see if you can get a good look at the foot. hold it just off a rock so it will extend and try to grab on. according to LA, the foot of a trochus is usually black, with a tan or off white bottom. or you could flip it over and see if it can right itself. astreas can't.

[Mako]

Trochus have a black rim on the foot which you can easily see when they are on the glass.

[bimmer88]

Trochus have a black rim on the foot which you can easily see when they are on the glass.

no black rim but there's a zebra pattern all over it's skin... kinda like the pattern from the shell continues onto it....

[Korrine]

did you read that link?

[luther1200]

Trochus are awesome, Astrea not so much, IMO. I will only buy Trochus anymore. They just do a much better job, IME.

[Korrine]

I think my astraea's do a pretty good job :) I'm going to add a handful of cerith for my next snails.

[Peter Eichler]

The speed at which Trochus eat algae put Astaea to shame, and they can right themselves when they fall or are knocked off the glass. They're also often from the area where most of our corals and rock comes from, which I like.

[bimmer88]

did you read that link?
yeah... based on the link, they're shell shapes indicate they are trochus but they are missing the black band around their foot so i'm still not sure...

[lordofthereef]

try flipping it over in the sand and see what it does. If it "gets up" it's trochus

[serpentman]

Trochus = awesome

Astria = suck

Trochus do a much better job, live longer, can right themselves and will breed in captivity. In general, they are well worth extra $. If you got them instead of astria, be glad.

[greenbean36191]

yeah... based on the link, they're shell shapes indicate they are trochus but they are missing the black band around their foot so i'm still not sure...
Snail IDs are made based on shell shape, not the color of the animal with only a few exceptions (with Trochus and Astraea not among those exceptions). If the shell matches Trochus then it's Trochus regardless of what the foot looks like.

[bimmer88]

went out and bought a few more today... put them in all upside down and within a matter of a few minutes all were right side up... guess they are trochus