Guides

Clean Up Crew

Tuxedo Urchin (Mespilia globulus)

Mespilia globulus is a 5–7 cm blue-banded sea urchin that grazes algae, carries shells and bits of debris on its spines, and is one of the most r…

Cone-shelled substrate diggers that aerate sand beds and appear at night — useful recyclers that boom when tanks are overfed.

Disk-shaped snails in wild and brightly coloured forms — helpful scavengers that multiply when overfeeding leaves excess food.

A small, industrious reef hermit that grazes film algae and scraps — best kept with spare shells and not overcrowded on delicate sandbeds.

Large, colourful apple snails with personality — they cruise glass, graze leftovers, and lay distinctive egg clutches above the waterline.

Transparent freshwater scavengers that are inexpensive, busy, and fascinating — great cleaners in peaceful community tanks when kept safely.

Hardworking algae grazers with striking shell patterns — they polish glass and hardscape without breeding into a population explosion in freshwater.