Ivory Snail Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Ivory Snail is a large, attractive freshwater gastropod with a rounded, smoothly coiled shell that may appear cream, ivory, tan or lightly banded. Its pale shell and dark body make it a distinctive addition to a planted aquarium, while the broad muscular foot allows it to move steadily across glass, wood and substrate.

This species is generally peaceful and spends much of its time grazing surfaces, exploring the aquarium or resting partially withdrawn inside its shell. It is equipped with a hard operculum, or trapdoor, which closes over the shell opening when the snail is disturbed or conditions become temporarily unfavourable.

In nature, Ivory Snails are associated with quiet or gently flowing freshwater environments where organic matter, algae and soft plant growth accumulate. They are active both on the substrate and on submerged surfaces, and their steady movement makes them easy to observe in a well-lit aquarium.

Unlike many familiar aquarium snails, Filopaludina martensi is live-bearing. Females retain their developing young and release miniature snails, giving the species a fascinating reproductive biology and allowing established populations to develop without masses of conspicuous egg capsules.

Filopaludina martensi is native to mainland Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand and neighbouring parts of the Mekong region. It inhabits freshwater habitats including ponds, marshes, canals, lakes and slow-moving streams.

A minimum aquarium of around 40 litres is suitable for one or two Ivory Snails, with a footprint of approximately 60 by 30 cm providing useful floor space. Use a secure lid because snails may climb above the waterline, and leave room for easy access during maintenance. Smooth sand or fine, rounded gravel is gentle on the foot, while driftwood, rocks, hardy plants and shaded areas provide grazing surfaces and cover. Efficient filtration, good oxygenation and stable, moderately hard alkaline water are important, and copper-based medications must be avoided.

Adults can reach approximately 5 cm (2 inches) in shell diameter. Females are usually larger and more robust than males.

Ivory Snails graze on algae, biofilm, soft plant matter and naturally occurring organic debris, but established aquariums may not provide enough food by themselves. Supplement their diet with algae wafers, sinking omnivore pellets, blanched courgette, spinach, cucumber and other suitable vegetables. Calcium-rich foods and mineral supplementation help maintain strong shells, while uneaten food should be removed before it decomposes.

Ivory Snails can be kept with peaceful community fish such as small rasboras, tetras, danios, livebearers, dwarf rainbowfish, peaceful gouramis and non-aggressive bottom dwellers. They are also compatible with other calm freshwater snails and most peaceful dwarf shrimp, provided the shrimp are not housed with predatory fish. Avoid puffers, snail-eating loaches, larger cichlids, aggressive catfish and any fish known to attack or consume snails.

Ivory Snails are separate-sexed, and breeding requires both a male and a female. After internal fertilisation, the female carries developing young and gives birth to fully formed miniature snails rather than laying a visible egg clutch. Well-fed adults, stable water conditions and adequate calcium support successful reproduction. Young may be raised with the adults if sufficient food and shelter are available, although some may be lost in a busy community aquarium.

Females are generally larger and heavier-bodied than males, while males tend to remain smaller. The sexes are otherwise difficult to distinguish reliably from external appearance, especially in young snails.