Black Devil Snail care guide
Black Devil Snail (Faunus ater) — minimum tank 40 L, temperature 22-28 °C, pH 7.5-8.5.
Overview
Black Devil Snail (Faunus ater) is a large freshwater snail of the family Pachychilidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an intermediate-level species. Pure jet-black elongate snail from Southeast Asian brackish-influenced rivers. Strong algae and biofilm grazer; avoids nipping live plants.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pachychilidae
- Genus: Faunus
- Scientific name: Faunus ater
- Common synonyms: Black Devil
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 Southeast Asia.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L (10.6 US gal)
- Adult size: 5-8 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 herbivore, 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. It should be kept away from Loaches, Pufferfish.
Breeding
Breeding requires a planktonic larval stage, generally in brackish or marine water, which makes captive reproduction very difficult and rarely achieved in home aquaria.