Our Guide To Keeping Orange Spotted Papua Snails

1. About Fish Species:

   • Scientific name: Tylomelania sp.
   • Common name: Orange Spotted Papua Snail
   • Family: Pachychilidae
   • Origin: Papua, Indonesia
   • Adult length: 4-7 cm
   • Lifespan: 3 to 5 years

2. Tank Setup:

   • Orange Spotted Papua Snails prefer tanks with sandy or fine gravel substrates and hard surfaces like rocks, driftwood, and plants for grazing and resting.
   • A minimum tank size of 30L is recommended to provide adequate space for these larger snails.
   • These snails are more active in lower light levels, which can also help reduce algae growth.

3. Water Parameters:

   • They thrive in slightly alkaline water with a pH range of 7.0 to 8.5 to support shell health.
   • Maintain a water temperature between 24 to 30°C (75 to 86°F), as they prefer warmer environments.

4. Filtration and Water Flow:

   • A gentle to moderate water flow is ideal for Orange Spotted Papua Snails, allowing them to explore and graze without strong currents.
   • Keep water quality stable, as these snails are sensitive to poor water conditions, particularly high ammonia and nitrates.

5. Diet:

   • These snails are omnivores and primarily graze on algae, detritus, and biofilm within the tank.
   • Supplement their diet with algae wafers, sinking pellets, and blanched vegetables like cucumber or zucchini to ensure proper nutrition.

6. Tank mates:

   • Orange Spotted Papua Snails are peaceful and can be housed with other non-aggressive species, including small fish, shrimp, and other snails.
   • Avoid keeping them with snail-eating fish, such as certain loaches and cichlids, that may see them as prey.

7. Behavior and Compatibility:

   • These snails are generally calm and spend much of their time slowly grazing on surfaces in the tank, contributing to a clean environment.
   • They are live-bearing and reproduce slowly, so there is minimal risk of overpopulation in a home aquarium.