Lightning Dove Snail (Pictocolumbella Ocellata)

Care Level : Easy

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Black, Yellow

Diet : Carnivore, Detritus, Omnivore

Reef Compatible : Yes

Water Conditions : 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025

Max. Size : up to 1 inch

Origin : Indo-Pacific

Family : Columbella

Supplements : Calcium, Magnesium, Trace Elements

Pictocolumbella Ocellata, common name : the Lightning Dove Shell, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Columbellidae, the dove snails. The Lightning Dove Snail is a great member of the clean up crew with a beautiful appearance. 

The Lightning Dove Snail has a thick shell that is black with white or yellow zig-zag stripes, and occasionally there are orange or red variations of this Snail found. The lip of the narrow shell opening is thickened and is often purplish on the inside of the shell. The foot is narrow and strong, and the siphon very long.

They prefer hard surfaces but will spend some time on the sand. Lightning Dove Snails will burrow through the sand looking for detritus and small worms. They will forage around the live rock as well eating bits of leftover food as they go.

Dove snails can and will reproduce in captivity under normal reef tank parameters. The eggs of this species hatch fully formed, and do not have a planktonic stage. We cannot determine the sex of a particular specimen, if you would like to breed them the rule of thumb is that if you add 6 or more you can be 99% assured there is more than one of each sex.

The Lightning Dove Snail will consume film algae, diatoms, fine hair algae, algal detritus, and some species of cyanobacteria in your aquarium. You may supplement the Lightning Dove Snails' diet with mysis shrimp or small bits of meaty food.

Size: up to 1 inch