Lava Snail Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Lava Snail is a striking freshwater gastropod with a long, sharply tapered shell. Its shell is usually dark brown, charcoal, black or reddish-brown, often with subtle bands and a warm orange, copper or lava-like tone that gives the trade form its name. Individual colour and pattern can vary considerably.

Lava Snails are sold under the trade name Faunus sp. 'magma' and are believed to originate from Indonesia, in the island region of Southeast Asia. Their natural relatives inhabit freshwater streams and rivers connected to estuarine or coastal environments, where some salinity tolerance is possible.

A single Lava Snail is best given at least 60 litres, with a footprint of around 60 x 30 cm; larger aquariums are preferable for multiple adults and provide more natural grazing area. Use stable rocks, driftwood and other surfaces that can develop biofilm, together with smooth sand or fine rounded gravel that will not damage the snail's foot. Provide a secure lid because these snails may climb above the waterline, leave open access to the surface, and avoid copper-based medications. Neutral to alkaline, mineral-rich water is important, and a low-brackish setup may be appropriate for some specimens, although the exact tolerance of trade animals varies.

Up to about 7 cm (2.8 inches) in shell length. Females are often slightly larger and more robust than males, although reported adult sizes vary between specimens.

Lava Snails graze on algae, soft surface growth, microorganisms and biofilm from aquarium glass, rocks, wood and other surfaces. A mature aquarium may provide much of their food, but they should also receive sinking algae wafers or prepared foods containing spirulina and occasional vegetables such as blanched courgette, spinach or cucumber. They need a regular source of calcium for shell maintenance, and uneaten food should be removed before it decays.

Lava Snails are peaceful scavengers and can live with calm community fish such as small rasboras, tetras, danios, livebearers, peaceful gouramis, dwarf corydoras and other non-aggressive snails or shrimp. Avoid puffers, loaches, large cichlids, aggressive barbs and any fish that habitually attacks or eats snails. They may be kept singly because they are not social or shoaling animals.

Lava Snails are difficult to breed in a typical freshwater aquarium. Females may produce larvae, but Faunus species generally have a complex life cycle in which the larvae require brackish or marine conditions before returning to freshwater, so successful captive reproduction is uncommon. They do not multiply rapidly in freshwater like some pest snails.

Lava Snails are difficult to sex from appearance alone. Females may grow somewhat larger and broader than males, but shell shape and colour are not reliable indicators, and the sexes cannot usually be identified with confidence without observing reproduction.