Astralium calcar – spiny star snail

Astralium calcar (Spiny Star Snail)

• Scientific name: Astralium calcar
• Origin: Indo-Pacific region, mainly from tropical waters of the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean
• Color: The shell color varies between white, beige and brownish with distinctive, spine-like projections that adorn 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: Herbivores; prefers algae, especially red algae and diatoms, and thus contributes to algae control in the aquarium
• Care: Relatively easy to care for and well-suited for aquariums that require algae control. It requires stable water conditions and sufficient algae food.
• Reproduction: The snail reproduces by laying eggs, which, however, does not always lead to successful larval development under aquarium conditions.