Pagoda Snail care guide
Pagoda Snail (Brotia pagodula) — minimum tank 60 L, temperature 22-28 °C, pH 7.5-8.5.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pagoda Snail (Brotia pagodula) is a large freshwater snail of the family Pachychilidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an intermediate-level species. Striking ornate snail with strongly ridged spire resembling a Buddhist pagoda. From Burmese rivers, requires hard alkaline water with strong flow.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pachychilidae
- Genus: Brotia
- Scientific name: Brotia pagodula
- Common synonyms: Pagoda Snail
Habitat
Pachychilid snails are large freshwater gastropods of tropical Asia, including the Sulawesi lake endemics of the genus Tylomelania and the sculptured Brotia and elongate Faunus of South-East Asian rivers. Most are livebearers and graze algae, biofilm and detritus. In the Aquairi knowledge base this species is recorded from Myanmar.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L (15.9 US gal)
- Adult size: 3-5 cm
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 7.5-8.5
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- KH: 6-14 °dKH
- Lifespan: 2-4 years
Diet
The species is a detritivore, grazing algae, biofilm and decaying matter from surfaces and substrate; in aquaria its diet is supplemented with algae wafers and blanched vegetables when natural growth is scarce.
Compatibility
The Aquairi knowledge base lists this species as peaceful. Suitable tank mates include Hardwater fish, Loricariids. It should be kept away from Loaches, Pufferfish, Assassin Snail.
Breeding
Reproduction is live-bearing: females release fully formed juveniles rather than eggs, and aquarium breeding is rated difficult. Populations can build up steadily in stable, well-fed tanks.
Breeding the Pagoda Snail (Brotia pagodula)
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.