Lava Snail (Faunus ater) Care Guide

The Lava Snail (Faunus ater) is a unique and eye-catching freshwater snail known for its long, dark, conical shell and active burrowing behavior. Native to Southeast Asia, these snails add a striking, natural touch to aquariums while also helping to clean up leftover food and detritus. Unlike pest snails, Lava Snails reproduce only in brackish water, so they will not overpopulate your tank.

✅ Description

• Appearance: Elongated, cone-shaped shell that ranges from deep brown to black, sometimes with reddish tones.

• Size: Can grow up to 3–4 inches (7–10 cm) in length.

• Behavior: Peaceful and shy; often burrows into the substrate but will emerge to graze, especially at night.

• Lifespan: Typically 3–5 years with proper care.

Tank Requirements

• Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons for a small group.

• Substrate: Sand or fine gravel works best since they love to burrow.

• Décor: Hardy plants, driftwood, and rocks make a natural habitat.

• Tank Lid: Keep the tank covered, as they may try to climb above the waterline.

️ Water Parameters

• Temperature: 75–84°F (24–29°C)

• pH: 7.0–8.2 (slightly alkaline)

• Hardness: Medium to hard water preferred.

• Salinity: Fully freshwater, but brackish water is required for breeding.

• Maintenance: Stable, clean water is essential – perform 25–30% weekly water changes.

️ Diet & Feeding

Lava Snails are omnivorous scavengers.

• Diet: Algae, biofilm, decaying plant matter, and leftover fish food.

• Supplements: Algae wafers, sinking pellets, blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach).

• Note: Ensure they have access to calcium (cuttlebone or mineral blocks) to maintain strong shells.

Tank Mates

• Good Tank Mates: Peaceful community fish, shrimp, and other non-aggressive snails.

• Avoid: Aggressive fish such as cichlids, loaches, or pufferfish that may nip at or eat snails.

Breeding

• Reproduction: Lava Snails cannot reproduce in freshwater aquariums. They require brackish water conditions for larvae to survive, meaning they will not overrun your tank.

❤️ General Care Tips

• Provide a sandy substrate for natural burrowing behavior.

• Avoid copper-based medications, as copper is toxic to snails.

• Keep calcium available for healthy shell growth.

• They are slow-moving, so make sure food reaches them before faster tankmates eat it all.

Summary

The Lava Snail (Faunus ater) is a hardy, attractive, and low-maintenance addition to freshwater aquariums. With their striking dark shells, peaceful temperament, and algae-eating habits, they make excellent cleanup crew members while adding a touch of uniqueness to your tank. Plus, since they cannot reproduce in freshwater, you never have to worry about overpopulation.