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Black Devil Snail
Faunus ater
📍 Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia)
The Black Devil Snail is a large, aggressive freshwater snail native to Southeast Asia, known for its dark coloration and predatory behavior toward other snails and small invertebrates. Despite its intimidating name, it is relatively hardy and can thrive in a variety of water conditions. This species is best kept singly or in very large tanks due to its territorial nature and appetite for smaller snails.
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Care Guide
Diet
Black Devil Snails are opportunistic feeders that consume algae, biofilm, and decaying organic matter. Supplement with blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach) and quality algae wafers 2-3 times weekly. Provide calcium-rich foods and cuttlebone or calcium supplements to maintain shell integrity, especially in soft water.
Behavior
This species is primarily nocturnal and spends much of the day buried in substrate or hidden among plants and decorations. Black Devil Snails are predatory toward smaller snails and will actively hunt and consume them, making them unsuitable for community snail tanks. They are relatively active at night, grazing and foraging across the substrate and hardscape.
Breeding
Black Devil Snails are dioecious (separate sexes) and reproduce in freshwater by laying eggs in clusters above the waterline on tank walls or hardscape. Eggs hatch into miniature snails that immediately begin feeding on biofilm and algae. Populations can increase rapidly in established tanks with abundant food, potentially overrunning the aquarium if left unchecked.
Tank Mates
Small fish that occupy mid-water column; snail remains on bottom and poses no threat
Black Devil Snails may prey on smaller shrimp; only large, established Amano Shrimp are safe
Both are bottom-dwellers but occupy different niches; minimal direct competition
Peaceful catfish that shares bottom habitat without direct conflict
Plant that provides shelter and grazing surfaces; snail will not consume it
Provides grazing surface and shelter without being consumed
Common Diseases
Shell Erosion / Soft Shell
Pitted, thin, or crumbling shell; visible damage to shell surface; snail may become lethargic
Increase water hardness (GH 8-15+) with mineral supplements; provide calcium sources (cuttlebone, calcium powder); raise pH to 7.0+ to support shell mineralization; perform 25% water changes weekly
Copper Toxicity
Lethargy, retraction into shell, loss of appetite, discoloration, eventual death
Immediately perform 50% water change; remove any copper-containing medications or decorations; use copper-free treatments only; activated carbon can help remove residual copper; prevent by avoiding all copper-based medications and checking fertilizers for copper content
Parasitic Infection (Flukes/Trematodes)
Excessive mucus production, shell damage, erratic behavior, reduced feeding, visible parasites on body
Perform 25% water changes every 2-3 days; increase aeration; use copper-free parasite treatments (fenbendazole or levamisole if available); quarantine infected snail if possible; maintain excellent water quality
Calcium Deficiency
Weak or thin shell, slow growth, pale coloration, shell deformities in juveniles
Add calcium supplements (calcium carbonate, crushed cuttlebone, or commercial snail supplements) to tank; increase water hardness; provide mineral-rich foods; ensure pH is adequate (6.5+) for calcium absorption
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore/detritivore; feeds on algae, biofilm, decaying plant matter, and smaller snails
- lifespan
- 3-5 years
- max size
- 5 cm (2 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- temperament
- semi-aggressive
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5-7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 8-15 dGH
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)