Star Snail; Atl. – Cypraea sp.

About this invertebrate

Star Snail; Atl. – Cypraea sp. is a saltwater cowrie snail (genus Cypraea) for a marine aquarium. Like many cowries, it’s a grazing snail that helps tidy up natural surfaces by feeding on biofilm and available organic growth. It’s commonly used as a reef-tank invertebrate placed on live rock or sand to support cleanup and add a distinctive, natural-looking presence to the display.

Features:

• General-purpose grazing: feeds on biofilm and available algae/organic growth on hard surfaces, supporting a cleaner-looking aquarium
• Reef-tank friendly in most setups: cowries are typically non-aggressive and can coexist with common reef inhabitants
• Best placed where it can browse: provide stable live rock and/or established surfaces it can move across
• Needs safe substrate and hiding options: offering rock crevices and smooth surfaces helps it settle and reduce stress
• Tank stability matters: cowries do best when salinity and temperature are kept consistent and water quality is maintained
• Avoid rough handling: like many snails, it benefits from gentle acclimation and careful placement to prevent stress

Specifications:

• Scientific name (as listed): Cypraea sp.
• Care level (general): Moderate; does best in stable, well-established marine aquariums
• Temperament: Non-aggressive (invertebrate)
• Diet (general): Grazing on biofilm/available algae and organic growth on surfaces
• Placement: Live rock and established surfaces; provide crevices/hiding spots
• Temperature (general): ~72–78°F (22–26°C)
• Salinity (general): ~1.020–1.025 SG
• pH (general): ~8.1–8.4
• Water quality (general): Clean, well-aerated saltwater with stable conditions