Care specifications
| Type | Snail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Max size | 3.5 in |
| Lifespan | 2–5 years |
| Temperature | 72–82 °F |
| pH | 7–8 |
| General hardness | 8–15 dGH |
| Calcium needs | High |
| Minimum tank size | 15 gallons |
| Diet | Detritus, Algae, Biofilm, Leftover fish food, Sinking wafers |
| Roles | Scavenger, Showpiece |
| Plant safe | Yes |
| Betta compatible | Yes |
| Breeds in freshwater | No |
| Population growth | None |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
Brackish water note: Faunus ater lives in coastal streams and needs brackish water for its larvae to develop, so like nerites it will never reproduce in a freshwater tank.
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Frequently asked questions
Will a black devil snail uproot my plants?
It can. A three-inch snail plowing through sand will bulldoze fragile carpets and recently planted stems, though established root systems and anything tied to hardscape are safe. Plant densely, let things root before adding the snail, and favor epiphytes in its path.
Why do I never see babies from my black devil snails?
You never will — their larvae require brackish water to survive, the same constraint as nerite snails. In a freshwater tank the population is fixed at whatever you stock, which many aquascapers consider the ideal arrangement.
Black Devil Snail appears in
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