Breeding the Pagoda Snail (Brotia pagodula)
Brotia pagodula is a gonochoristic, viviparous river snail from Myanmar and Thailand that broods young in a pouch. Captive reproduction is rare; this guide covers its biology and demanding flow-rich setup.
Overview
Brotia pagodula, known as the pagoda, porcupine or horned armour snail, is a freshwater snail from Myanmar and Thailand in the family Pachychilidae and the type species of its genus. It naturally occurs in well-oxygenated, fast-flowing stretches of the Moei border river, and its ridged, spired shell gives it the pagoda-like appearance. It is part of the ornamental aquarium trade.
Snails of the genus Brotia are gonochoristic and viviparous, retaining developing eggs and young in a special brood pouch. The IUCN Red List classifies this species as Least Concern.
Sexing
As a gonochoristic species the sexes are separate, but they cannot be distinguished externally, so a group must be kept for any chance of both sexes being present.
Conditioning
Replicating the native river is essential to condition adults: strong flow, high oxygen and low lighting in hard, alkaline water. The species grazes biofilm and detritus and benefits from a mature tank with abundant grazing surfaces.
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 7.5-8.5 (alkaline)
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- KH: 6-14 °dKH
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L with strong flow
Breeding Setup
A river-style tank with powerful circulation, high oxygenation and subdued lighting best mimics the Moei habitat. Hard, alkaline, well-oxygenated water of high quality is the main requirement, though captive reproduction of this species is seldom reported.
Reproduction & Young
Brotia are viviparous, brooding their young in a pouch and releasing them as small but fully formed snails rather than laying eggs. A study of Brotia pagodula found each female carried only a single juvenile in her brood pouch, indicating a very low reproductive output similar to other Pachychilidae livebearers.
Common Challenges
Captive breeding is poorly documented and rarely achieved, partly because of the very low single-juvenile output and the difficulty of maintaining the strong-flow, oxygen-rich conditions the species needs. Soft water harms the shell. Avoid loaches, pufferfish and assassin snails.