What does anyone think about Margarita Snails?

[Reef By Steele Verified Sponsor]

I had not seen Margarita Snails before and we ordered some from our wholesaler. Want to see if people have any insight or experience with them, and I want to take a close look at what might be one of the most overlooked algae cleaning snails in the reef aquarium trade. We keep some “dirty” tanks to house our CUC to provide food source and these guys wiped it out in no time.

The Black Margarita Snails while smaller than Turbo Snails are still optimal grazers, and will eat a variety for algae including Cyanobacteria, Brown and Green Diatoms, Film Algae and Filamentous Algae such as GHA (Green Hair Algae). Advantages of the Margarita Snails include:

1. Its ability to self-right which most turbos struggle with.
2. A varied algae diet making them more utilitarian.
3. Attractive black and silver shell, allowing them to stand out in our aquariums.
4. Smaller adult size of approximately 1" (2.5 cm) allowing them to get into tighter areas and not act as a bulldozer for less stable rockwork.
5. Do not secrete toxins as other snail might, making them safe for corals.
6. Peaceful temperament making them great tank mates.

This snail is one that I have just recently encountered. Margarita snails like most other algae grazing snails, need algae as a food source or they are likely to starve. To maintain their optimal health, once a tank has overcome nuisance algae, it is necessary to augment their diet. Sinking algae wafers, pellets, dried seaweed/nori, or blanched vegetables like spinach or zucchini are all viable choices. To feed either introduce the sinking products, or wrap the seaweed/vegetables to a rock or shell and place near the glass.

I find the Margarita Snails to be particularly attractive with a turban shaped dark, almost black, shell that appears silvery or pearl like on the top. They can often be found with Coraline algae on their shells, which can help to accelerate or introduce coralline algae into your reef tank.

Excited to hear from people who have had them.

We are happy to have added these and other new species of snails including Trochus to our offerings. Check our complete selection at
https://reefbysteele.com/collections/clean-up-crew

 

[Üter]

I had bought these for my octopus. they are really a cold water snail. but I was told they had trouble righting themselves.

 

[Reef By Steele Verified Sponsor]

I had bought these for my octopus. they are really a cold water snail. but I was told they had trouble righting themselves.

What I read is they may be used to cooler waters, but not sure as the wholesaler I get them from only has Caribbean and Florida items. But that they can thrive in 72-78 degrees. As for self righting, these are a specie I don’t hand place like I have to zebra turbos and astrea and we have had very minimal losses. I just repurposed my 200 gallon drag system for CUC and the Astrea a seem to be much better off with more surface space than in 20 gallon cubes and 39 gallon tall. Especially when we get 300 at a time.

But when I come back, all the margaritas are up and running. And I have never found an upside down empty shell.

 

[EricR]

I had a few that lasted about 2 years through several tank transfers in tanks running at 77 degrees.
*I always hear the "normally in cooler water" thing so never bought any more after that first batch

Mine were good grazers and, as you noted, I never had to flip them over so that's a plus.

 

[jonnywink]

I’ve had these snails in my Fowler tank for several years. They were one of the first recommended by my LFS so I got a bunch and have not regretted it. They eat a lot and are fun to watch. Pretty hardy too. My granddaughter named them all Fred.