Description
Dove Snails are small, active grazers that specialize in surface cleaning. They feed on film algae, diatoms, hair algae, detritus, and even some species of cyanobacteria while moving across rockwork, sand surfaces, and aquarium glass. They remain visible much of the time and are also active during daylight hours.
In the wild, dove snails inhabit shallow reef flats, rubble zones, and seagrass edges where microalgae and organic films naturally accumulate. In aquariums, they function as gentle cleaners, helping control early-stage algae growth without bowling over aquascapes. Importantly for planted systems, dove snails do not seem to consume macroalgae, making them a safe and reliable choice for macroalgae tanks, reef tanks, and refugiums.
We offer a couple of dove snail species, though Lightning Dove Snails (Pictocolumbella ocellata) from the Indo-Pacific make up the majority of individuals. Shell color and pattern may vary depending on collecting location and species. Most specimens remain quite small, typically around .5 inch, making them well suited for nano tanks.
