Encyclopaedia

InvertebrateFreshwaterBrackishIntermediate

Long trumpet snail

Stenomelania torulosa

Long trumpet snail: aquarium gastropod in the family Thiaridae, useful for biofilm, light algae, and substrate cleanup. Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to a highly restricted...

Taxonomy

Class:Gastropoda

Order:Sorbeoconcha

Family:Thiaridae

Genus:Stenomelania

Species:Stenomelania torulosa

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Water Temperature

20 - 28 °C

pH Value

7 - 8.4

Water type

Freshwater / Brackish

Invertebrate type

Freshwater snail

Adult size

7 cm

Minimum group

>= 1

6 - 20 dGH

3 - 15 dKH

TDS

120 - 450 ppm

Ecological role

Scavenger

Copper sensitivity

High

Species description

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to a highly restricted geographical range in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific, natively colonizing the shallow coastal rivers, clear estuaries, and fast-flowing mountain streams of the Philippines, Indonesia, and specific South Pacific islands. Stenomelania torulosa (the Long Snout Trumpet Snail, or Torpedo Snail) uniquely inhabits pristine, highly oxygenated freshwater environments. These micro-habitats are fundamentally characterized by extremely clean, clear water rushing over massive fields of smooth river pebbles, coarse gravel, and vast, deep stretches of fine, soft sand.

Taxonomy: Scientifically classified within the Thiaridae family (the trumpet snails), it is a highly specialized, morphologically spectacular relative of the common Malaysian Trumpet Snail. It is an incredibly elongated, robust species, reaching 5 to 7 centimeters (2-2.8 inches) in length. Its defining, spectacular evolutionary adaptation is an unbelievably long, deeply spiraled, torpedo-like conical shell that tapers to an incredibly sharp, needle-like point. This streamlined, drill-bit shape is perfectly engineered by evolution to effortlessly slice through dense, compacted river sand.

Social Behavior: They are completely peaceful, entirely non-aggressive, and intensely active burrowing invertebrates. Unlike surface-grazing snails, Stenomelania torulosa is a dedicated, obligate deep-substrate sifter. They possess zero territorial instincts and completely ignore all other tank inhabitants. They spend the vast majority of daylight hours completely buried deep beneath the sand bed, acting as massive biological plows. They churn the substrate, consuming decaying organic matter, and crucially, aerating deep sand beds to prevent toxic, anaerobic gas pockets from forming.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Sexual dimorphism is visually non-existent; remarkably, like many in the Thiaridae family, they reproduce primarily through parthenogenesis, meaning populations consist almost entirely of clonal females that do not require males to reproduce. The coloration is highly functional, mottled camouflage designed to blend perfectly into sandy riverbeds. The spectacular, elongated torpedo shell is typically a deeply textured, earthy golden-brown, dark mahogany, or rich sandy beige. The shell is frequently overlaid with subtle, darker reddish-brown horizontal bands or speckles.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Tank Setup: The aquarium architecture must flawlessly accommodate their massive, elongated shells and obligate deep-burrowing behavior. A minimum 40-liter tank is sufficient. The absolute, most critical, non-negotiable requirement is the substrate: it MUST be exclusively fine, soft sand, and it MUST be incredibly deep (at least 7-10 cm / 3-4 inches deep) to accommodate their massive 7cm shells. If kept on rough gravel, they cannot burrow, will suffer extreme stress, and the abrasive gravel will fatally erode their spectacular, needle-pointed shells.

Diet and Feeding: In their clear Southeast Asian streams, they are continuous, meticulous benthic detritivores. They plow deep through the sand, consuming microscopic decaying plant matter, uneaten fish food, and soft organic detritus trapped in the substrate. In captivity, they are ravenous bottom-feeders and the ultimate biological cleanup crew for deep sand beds. While they constantly consume detritus, their diet MUST be heavily supplemented to prevent starvation. They readily consume sinking omnivore pellets, algae wafers, and specifically require calcium-rich foods to maintain their massive shells.

Water Quality: Originating from fast-flowing coastal rivers, they demand excellent water chemistry and high oxygenation. They thrive in warm tropical temperatures (22-28°C / 72-82°F). Crucially, they strictly require hard, slightly alkaline water (pH 7.2 - 8.5, GH 8-20) heavily saturated with dissolved calcium. If kept in soft, acidic water, their spectacular, elongated shells will rapidly dissolve, pitting and eroding from the sharp tip downwards until the snail dies. They possess absolute zero tolerance for ammonia, nitrites, or stagnant, poorly oxygenated water conditions.

Compatibility and Tankmates: They are the absolute perfect, highly functional substrate-sifting cleanup crew for any peaceful community tank utilizing a deep sand bed. Because they are completely peaceful and spend their days buried deep beneath the sand, they are safe from most casual nipping. Excellent tankmates are peaceful community fish, dwarf shrimp (Neocaridina), and peaceful mid-water schooling fish. However, they MUST NEVER be housed with specialized snail-eating predators: large Pufferfish, massive Loaches, or Assassin Snails, which will relentlessly hunt them down in the sand.

Aquarium Breeding: Breeding is prolific, continuous, and completely automatic. Unlike nerite snails, Stenomelania torulosa reproduces entirely in freshwater. They are livebearers that reproduce via parthenogenesis; a single female will independently produce fully formed, microscopic clones of herself. The tiny babies emerge from the mother and immediately bury themselves deep in the sand. While they breed easily, they generally do not reach the plague-like, explosive population levels of standard Malaysian Trumpet Snails, largely due to their much slower growth rate and massive adult size.

Risks and Diseases: The absolute greatest physical risk is severe shell erosion and the complete dissolving of their magnificent needle-pointed tips, caused by keeping them in soft, acidic water lacking massive amounts of calcium. The second major risk is lethal starvation and stress caused by keeping them on sharp, abrasive gravel or shallow sand; they MUST have deep, soft sand to bury their massive bodies into. Medically, as invertebrates, they possess absolute zero tolerance for any copper-based medications.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Endemic to a highly restricted geographical range in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific, natively colonizing the shallow coastal rivers, clear estuaries, and fast-flowing mountain streams of the Philippines, Indonesia, and specific South Pacific islands. Stenomelania torulosa (the Long Snout Trumpet Snail, or Torpedo Snail) uniquely inhabits pristine, highly oxygenated freshwater environments. These micro-habitats are fundamentally characterized by extremely clean, clear water rushing over massive fields of smooth river pebbles, coarse gravel, and vast, deep stretches of fine, soft sand.

Origin

Tropical oceans and reefsSouth and Southeast Asia

Invertebrate profile

Diet: Biofilm grazer
Ecological role: Scavenger
Shock sensitivity: High
Calcium and minerals: High
Molting: Shell growth
Reproduction: Oviparous
Compatibility & tankmates: Peaceful

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

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Variants and close relatives

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Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates