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Pagoda Snail
Brotia pagodula
📍 Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand and surrounding regions
The Pagoda Snail is a distinctive freshwater snail with a tall, pagoda-like shell featuring prominent spiral ridges and a dark brown coloration. These snails are excellent algae grazers and detritivores, helping to keep tanks clean while adding visual interest. They are generally hardy and peaceful, making them suitable for community aquariums with appropriate tank mates.
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Care Guide
Diet
Pagoda Snails are primarily herbivorous grazers that feed on algae, biofilm, and decaying plant matter. Supplement their diet with blanched vegetables such as zucchini, spinach, and lettuce. Provide calcium-rich foods or calcium supplements (cuttlebone, calcium tablets) to maintain shell health and prevent shell erosion.
Behavior
Pagoda Snails are slow-moving bottom dwellers that spend most of their time grazing on surfaces and substrate. They are nocturnal and more active during evening hours, retreating into their shells during the day. These snails are generally solitary and do not interact much with other snails or fish.
Breeding
Pagoda Snails are dioecious (separate sexes) and require both males and females to reproduce. They lay eggs in small clusters above the waterline on tank glass or decorations. Eggs hatch into aquatic juveniles that develop entirely in freshwater, so populations can increase in the tank; however, reproduction rates are typically slow and manageable with regular water changes and tank maintenance.
Tank Mates
Both are peaceful algae grazers that occupy similar ecological niches without competing aggressively
Small, peaceful fish that ignore snails and share the same water parameter preferences
Bottom-dwelling catfish that are peaceful and do not prey on snails
Peaceful mid-water dweller that generally ignores snails; monitor for any aggression
Small algae-eating fish that are peaceful and share similar dietary preferences
Common Diseases
Shell Erosion / Soft Shell
Shell becomes thin, pitted, or chalky; shell may appear translucent or develop holes; snail may have difficulty moving
Increase water hardness (GH) to 6-12 dGH, add calcium supplements (cuttlebone, calcium tablets, or specialized snail supplements), ensure pH is above 6.5, and provide calcium-rich foods like blanched spinach and algae wafers
Copper Toxicity
Lethargy, withdrawal into shell, loss of appetite, discoloration, eventual death
Immediately perform large water changes (50%) to dilute copper levels; use copper-free medications and fertilizers; avoid any aquarium treatments containing copper; use activated carbon in filter to help remove copper; do not use copper-based algae treatments
Parasitic Infections (Flukes/Worms)
Excessive mucus production, shell damage, erratic behavior, reduced feeding, visible parasites on shell or body
Quarantine affected snails; perform frequent water changes; use snail-safe parasite treatments (avoid copper-based medications); increase water flow and aeration; maintain excellent water quality with regular tank maintenance
Bacterial Shell Infection
Discolored patches on shell, pitting, foul odor, shell deterioration, snail becomes lethargic
Improve water quality with frequent water changes; increase aeration; remove decaying plant matter and uneaten food; maintain stable water parameters; use snail-safe antibacterial treatments if available; ensure adequate calcium intake
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Herbivore/detritivore - grazes on algae, biofilm, and decaying plant matter
- lifespan
- 3-4 years
- max size
- 3 cm (1.2 in)
- tank size
- 10 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5-7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 6-12 dGH
- temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)