Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Invertebrate profile

Diet

Biofilm grazer

Herbivorous grazer. Primarily consumes soft green algae, diatoms, and biofilm from glass, rocks, and plant leaves. Will not eat healthy plants. May require supplemental algae wafers if natural algae is insufficient.

Ecological role

Scavenger

Excellent algae eater, particularly adept at cleaning glass and hardscape without damaging flora.

Shock sensitivity

High

Can be sensitive to sudden shifts in pH or temperature. Acclimate carefully.

Calcium and minerals

High

Needs adequate calcium to maintain a strong, healthy shell and prevent erosion.

Molting

Shell growth

Unlike crustaceans, snails do not undergo any molting process. Instead, they secrete material from their mantle to continuously grow their shell outward. They require water with adequate minerals and calcium to prevent shell erosion and decalcification over the course of their lifespan.

Reproduction

Oviparous

Lays distinct, sesame-seed-like egg capsules on hard surfaces (glass, wood, rocks). These eggs require brackish or saltwater to hatch into larvae, so they will not reproduce in freshwater aquariums.

Compatibility & tankmates

Peaceful

This species is extremely peaceful and completely safe for community aquariums and planted tanks. They make excellent tankmates for small fish and dwarf shrimp, but should never be housed with loaches, pufferfish, assassin snails, or large aggressive species that naturally prey on mollusks.