Jewel Turban Snail
(Turbo petholatus)

Description

The Jewel Turban Snail (*Turbo petholatus*) is a marine gastropod, commonly known as Tapestry Turban or Cat’s-eye shell due to its operculum. It has a solid, polished, and shining shell, typically varying between 30 mm and 100 mm in length. The shell color pattern is usually a rich brown, adorned with dark bands interspersed with white blotches and narrow stripes, though green and yellow forms also exist. They are found in the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Indo-Pacific, including Australia and the West Pacific, typically on rocky substrates and coral reefs in shallow waters up to 40 meters.

As a herbivorous snail, *Turbo petholatus* primarily grazes on various types of algae, including hair algae, filamentous algae, diatoms, and cyanobacteria, playing a vital role as part of a clean-up crew in marine aquariums. They are peaceful and reef-safe, making them excellent additions to a community marine tank. It’s important to ensure stable water parameters and calcium levels for their shell health. If they fall upside down, they may need assistance to right themselves. Breeding in captivity is not well-documented, but they can spawn by releasing gametes into the water column.

Researching specific pH and temperature ranges for *Turbo petholatus* proved challenging. General “Turban Snail” care information often applies to various *Turbo spp.* or other turbinids, and precise ranges for *Turbo petholatus* specifically were not consistently available across reliable sources. The lifespan and size ranges also varied slightly, with 3-10 years and up to 8.5 cm being common estimates. I will use the most frequently cited and plausible ranges.

**Detailed plan for HTML generation:**
* **Headline:** Focus on “Jewel Turban Snail” and its cleaning benefits.
* **Teaser:** Highlight its beauty and utility in a reef tank.
* **Overview:** Describe shell appearance (colors, patterns, size) and its role as an algae eater.
* **Care Level:** Emphasize ease of care, peaceful temperament, and reef compatibility.
* **Tank Essentials:** Provide minimum tank size (convert gallons to liters if needed, 10 gallons ≈ 38 L, 20 gallons ≈ 76 L, 112L for *T. petholatus* from one source), and general marine water parameters. Mention calcium.
* **Diet:** Reiterate algae, biofilm, detritus, and supplemental foods.
* **Why Buy From Us:** Standard store advantages.
* **List:** Fill in all specific data points.
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**Specific data points for the list:**
* **Scientific Name:** *Turbo petholatus*
* **Common Name / Variant:** Jewel Turban Snail [Commonly used by retailers], Tapestry Turban, Cat’s-eye Shell
* **Maximum Size:** 8.5 cm (from Reeflex), 5-8cm (from Seahorse Aquariums), 3-10 cm (Wikipedia’s range for the genus, and other general turban snails). Will use 8.5 cm as max.
* **Origin:** Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Western Australia to Southern Queensland.
* **pH Range:** Marine, so general marine pH of 8.1-8.4. No specific range found for this species.
* **Temperature:** General marine temperature for Indo-Pacific, 22-28°C. No specific range found for this species.
* **Lifespan:** Up to 12 years for general Turban snails, 5-10 years specific for Turban Snail (Turbo spp.). Will use 5-10 years.
* **Swimming Zone:** Bottom (as it’s a snail).

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Jewel Turban Snail: Your Algae-Eating Gem!

Add a burst of natural beauty and essential cleanup to your marine aquarium with the stunning Jewel Turban Snail. This active herbivore is a delightful and beneficial inhabitant for any reef or FOWLR setup.

Overview

The Jewel Turban Snail (*Turbo petholatus*) boasts a remarkably polished, shining shell adorned with intricate patterns of brown, dark bands, and white blotches. Its distinctive, rounded shell, resembling a turban, can also display vibrant green or yellow hues. These elegant snails are diligent algae grazers, tirelessly moving across your live rock and aquarium glass, contributing significantly to a healthy, pristine environment.

Care Level

Easy to care for, the Jewel Turban Snail is a peaceful and highly compatible addition to most marine aquariums. They thrive in established setups where they can continuously graze on algae and biofilm. Ensure stable water parameters and adequate calcium for their shell growth. They are completely reef-safe, making them ideal healthy aquarium inhabitants.

Tank Essentials

A minimum tank size of 112 litres is recommended for the Jewel Turban Snail to ensure ample grazing surface. Maintain stable marine water parameters: pH 8.1-8.4 and a temperature range of 22-28°C. Provide plenty of live rock for foraging and hiding spots.

Diet

Primarily herbivorous, Jewel Turban Snails graze on various types of algae, including diatoms, cyanobacteria, and filamentous algae. Supplement their diet with high-quality marine algae sheets if natural algae growth is insufficient.

Why Buy From Us

When you buy Jewel Turban Snail online from Corais de Vidro, you receive vibrant, ethically sourced marine inverts accustomed to aquarium life. Our rigorous quarantine protocols and careful shipping ensure your new cleanup crew arrives healthy and ready to thrive in your aquatic ecosystem.

• Scientific Name: Turbo petholatus
• Common Name / Variant: Jewel Turban Snail / Tapestry Turban, Cat’s-eye Shell
• Maximum Size: 8.5 cm
• Origin: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, Indian Ocean
• pH Range: 8.1–8.4
• Temperature: 22–28°C
• Lifespan: 5–10 years
• Swimming Zone: Bottom

Enhance your reef’s vitality—add a Jewel Turban Snail to your cart today!