Devil Spike Snail
Faunus ater
A large, striking freshwater snail with a distinctive elongated black shell, prized for its algae-eating habits and inability to overpopulate freshwater aquariums.
Ideal Conditions
- Temperature
- 22 – 28 °C
- pH range
- 7 – 8.2
- Hardness
- 8 – 20 dGH
- Salinity
- 1 – 1.015 SG
- Adult size
- 6 – 9 cm
- Standard aquarium
- 40 litres+
- Lifespan
- 3 – 5 years
- Diet
- Omnivore/Detritivore
- Water flow
- low to moderate
- Preferred setup
- Sandy or fine gravel substrate is essential for burrowing.
About the Devil Spike Snail
The Devil Spike Snail (Faunus ater) is an eye-catching invertebrate native to the coastal rivers and estuaries of Southeast Asia. Boasting a glossy, steeply tapering, jet-black to dark brown shell, it makes a dramatic addition to the substrate of any aquarium. Despite the imposing common name, it is a completely peaceful detritivore that spends its days grazing on biofilm, soft algae, and leftover food. Its size and hardiness make it a fantastic alternative to smaller snails for those looking to add diverse life to their aquatic ecosystems without the risk of a population explosion.
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Where Devil Spike Snail comes from
Native range
Southeast Asia, Indo-Pacific
Countries / regions
Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka
Habitat
Coastal rivers, muddy estuaries, and mangrove zones with a mix of fresh and brackish water.
Highly adaptable, naturally migrating between pure freshwater and brackish environments depending on the season.
Similar species
Orange Poso Rabbit Snail
Tylomelania sp.
Malaysian Trumpet Snail
Melanoides tuberculata
We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.
Compatible tank mates
Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.
- Great
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Peaceful invertebrate that shares similar water parameter requirements and will not bother the snail.
- Great
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Small, peaceful mid-water swimmers that completely ignore substrate-dwelling snails.
- Not recommended
Clown Loach
Chromobotia macracanthus
Loaches are specialised snail predators and may harass or eventually consume even large snails.
- Not recommended
Pea Puffer
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Pufferfish are aggressive and natural predators of snails, prone to nipping at the snail's exposed body.
- Compatible with caution
Assassin Snail
Clea helena
While the Devil Spike Snail is usually too large for Assassin Snails to hunt, a group of hungry Assassins could potentially pose a risk.
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