Stocky Cerith Snail

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Widely distributed throughout the tropical Western Atlantic, including southern Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. Inhabits shallow sand flats and seagrass beds.

Taxonomy: Member of the family Cerithiidae. Features an elongated, thick-walled conical shell measuring about 2-3 cm in length. The shell surface is sculpted with spiral rows of nodules. Grows to 2.5 cm.

Social Behavior: Peaceful, active, and gregarious. Spends most of its time burrowing through the upper layers of the sand bed, feeding and aerating the substrate without causing disruption.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Shell color has a white or pale cream base, covered with rows of dark brown or black square dots resembling printed letters or text characters. No visible sexual dimorphism.

Tank Setup: Suitable for reef tanks of all sizes, including nano reefs of 5 gallons or larger. Requires a sandy substrate to burrow in, along with live rock. Does not require empty shells.

Diet and Feeding: Herbivore and detritivore. Consumes diatoms, cyanobacteria, film algae, organic detritus, and leftover fish food. Harmless to corals and macroalgae.

Water Quality: Stable reef parameters. Salinity SG 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4, temperature 22-28°C. Highly sensitive to copper treatments and sudden osmotic shocks.

Compatibility and Tankmates: 100% reef-safe. Excellent member of the clean-up crew (CUC). Compatible with peaceful fish. May be targeted by hermits seeking replacement shells.

Aquarium Breeding: Lays gelatinous egg strings on rocks. Can successfully reproduce in home aquariums since the larvae are mostly benthic and bypass complex pelagic stages.

Risks and Diseases: Starvation in sterile aquariums lacking a sand bed or sufficient organic film. Shell erosion if calcium, magnesium, or pH levels remain depleted.