Cerith snail

Cerithium litteratum

InvertebrateMarine

Cerithium litteratum has an elongated, conical shell with distinct whorls and spiral ridges. Its coloration is variable, often cream with brown or black spots forming zigzag patterns. It reaches an adult size of about 3 cm. It is an active grazer that moves slowly over rocks and sand. There is no visible sexual dimorphism. It is completely peaceful and compatible with most reef inhabitants.

Recommended parameters

ParameterRecommended range
Temperature22–28
pH8.1–8.4
Salinity1.023–1.025
NO₃≤ 20
PO₄≤ 0.1

Care

Difficulty1/5
Dietherbivore
Min. tank20 L
Min. group1
Adult size3 cm
Lifespan2 ans
Temperamentpeaceful

Care notes

A tank of at least 20 liters is sufficient for a small group. Water parameters should be stable: temperature 22-28°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.023-1.025. A setup with live rock and a sandy substrate is ideal. It feeds mainly on algae but will also accept algae wafers and leftover food. Avoid copper-based medications as they are toxic to invertebrates. It is sensitive to large salinity swings.