Pagoda Snail

The pagoda snail is a striking snail from the fast-flowing streams of Myanmar, resembling a pagoda tower thanks to the long, pointed spines lined up on each whorl of its shell. Its shell is dark brown; the spines can wear down with age and in poor water conditions. It is rare in the hobby and mostly wild-collected. Losses after transport are common, so it is suited to experienced keepers.

• 60 liters or more for a few individuals; a mature aquarium rich in biofilm.
• Noticeable flow and strong oxygenation; still, warm water is not suitable.
• pH 7 or higher, moderately hard to hard water; calcium for the shell and spines.
• Smooth stones and fine sand; avoid products containing copper.

Omnivorous; biofilm and algae on stone surfaces are its main food. It must be supplemented with sinking tablets, spirulina and blanched vegetables; in a newly set-up aquarium with no food it weakens quickly.

Completely peaceful; it leaves fish, shrimp and plants alone. It moves slowly and mostly grazes on top of stones.

Good companions: peaceful fish that like flowing water (hillstream loaches, small danios), shrimp, nerite snails.

Avoid: snail-eating fish (clown loach, pufferfish), crayfish, species that need warm, still water.