Trochus sp..Tiger Trochus?

trutu · #1 04/02/2002, 02:54 PM

Hi Dr Ron
Can you tell me if the tiger trochus is any different from a banded trochus, trochus sp.. or are they all the same. I want to get some trochus and I've heard that the tiger trochus are the best algae eaters, I was wondering if its all a myth. I've seen places sell the "Tiger Trochus" for 4 bucks a pop, whereas the banded for as cheap as 2 dollars a snail. Please shed some light on this for me

Thanks
Stoney

DaveJ · #2 04/02/2002, 07:44 PM

I don't know if there is a difference, but what you heard about their eating ability is true. Trochus are THE algae eater in my limited experience, well next to a good tang

The prices will vary from place to place. I have seen them from around 2 bucks on up to 4 bucks a pop. Look around and price them out to get your best deal. I know IPSF sells them, www.ipsf.com and also at www.paragonsales.com. I will NEVER get another turbo or astrea. Trochus can flip themselves back over and they are much more attractive.. they also spawn occasionally in our tanks.

rshimek · #3 04/02/2002, 11:02 PM

Hi,

Well....

The various common names seem to be applied at random by the distributors.

I have several so-called Trochus in my tanks. Most are actually species of Tectus, and there are several different species of Trochus. Incidently, they were all sold as Astraea....

IPSF sells some aquacultured real Trochus and they are good grazers on diatoms. Whether they are called tiger trochus, lion trochus, kangaroo rat trochus or whatever is up to whims of the advertising director.

There are about 60 to 100 species of Trochus, probably about 20 species of Tectus, and maybe 150 species each of Turbo and Astraea in the world's warm seas, and I suspect at any given time, we can probaly find 10 to 20 species of each for sale somewhere in the hobby.

These are all differing species, with differing requirements. Most, however, are diatom-grazers.

cone9 · #4 04/03/2002, 09:41 AM

trutu,

I bought six Trochus from www.ipsf.com last June - all are still alive and have grown very well. Very nice grazers and have the best survival of any snail I've had.

Ron,

I also have one small Trochus(just like the larger ones) in my tank that just appeared a couple months ago - also growing nicely. Would these guys reproduce in our tanks or should I assume it came in unnotied with something else. I have aquired a couple new corals in that time period, but it would have had to have been rather small for me not to have seen it.

Guy · #5 04/03/2002, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rshimek
, kangaroo rat trochus or whatever

Sorry, this statement is just TOO funny to pass up. I suppose if I begin to market my "Kangaroo Rat Stomatella" I'll have to pass royalties back to you. LMAO!!!

Guy

bertoni · #6 04/04/2002, 12:22 AM

I saw my IPSF trochus spawning, and asked Gerald about it.
He indicated that I will probably get small Trochus in 2-3
months.

rshimek · #7 04/04/2002, 11:46 AM

Hi Guy,

Actually since the queen and fighting conchs move by "lurching," I am surprised they aren't sold by somebody under the name of "kangaroo snails."

Any of the trochids or top shells may reproduce successfully in our systems. Generally, success in breeding them is dependent primarily on the number of predators that could eat the babies. These predators would be hermit crabs and shrimp primarily.