Astralium calcar – spiny star snail

Astralium calcar (Spiny Star Snail)

• Scientific Name: Astralium calcar
• Origin: Indo-Pacific region, primarily from tropical waters of the West Pacific and Indian Ocean
• Color: Shell color varies between white, beige, and brownish with distinctive, spiny protrusions adorning the shell
• Size: Can reach up to 5 cm in diameter
• Light Requirement: Not light-dependent
• Water Movement: Moderate to strong water flow
• Temperature Range: 24–28°C
• pH Value: 8.1–8.4
• Salinity: 1.023–1.025 SG
• Diet: Herbivore; prefers algae, especially red algae and diatoms, thus contributing to algae control in the aquarium
• Care: Relatively easy to care for and well-suited for aquariums needing algae control. It requires stable water conditions and sufficient algal food
• Reproduction: The snail reproduces by laying eggs, but this does not always lead to successful larval development under aquarium conditions.