Hedgehog snail - Brotia armata

As its trivial name suggests, the hedgehog snail, Brotia armata, from the Kaek River in Thailand, which grows up to 3 cm, has a very typical tower-shaped shell, which is covered with a large number of peculiar-looking spines or spines, which are quite unique in the world of snails, which makes the special charm of this snail. The shell color is uniformly chestnut to chocolate brown. The body color is steel gray to light blue and is broken up by bright white to yellow pigment spots.

The Hedgehog Tower Cap Snail is not only an eye-catcher in any aquarium due to its striking and attractive appearance, but it is also very useful. It scours the gravel for food, sometimes rearranging it a bit and bringing important nutrients to the roots of the plants. It also eats algae deposits and biofilms. However, unlike the commonly offered species of tower snails, the hedgehog tower snail does not burrow into the substrate during these activities, but is always visible and actively on the move for many hours of the day.

Hedgehogs are completely harmless and peaceful animals, which can be socialized with almost every fish or invertebrate species, which fits to them from the water values and which itself does not go to snails. Because of its size, it should not be placed in aquariums that are too finely structured or too heavily planted. There is a danger of getting stuck, then the beautiful snail would starve to death if not found in time. For a "digging place" in the aquarium, which is equipped with very fine sand or with healing earth, the snail is very grateful. Such places are very gladly visited and scavenged for food.

As a large snail, Brotia armata is usually not satisfied with what it finds in the aquarium. A supplementary feeding with our special snail food is therefore advisable. Dust food can also be given, since snails of the genus Brotia can also filter part of their food out of the water. This makes them an ideal aquarium companion for Mussels or Fan shrimp. In nature, it lives in water with strong currents, which makes it ideal for a fan shrimp aquarium. Soft vegetables are taken as well as food tabs, and also brown food is very Autumn leaves is grazed very gladly.

Brotia armata reproduces in fresh water. Since the snails are bisexual and cannot fertilize themselves, you need males and females in any case. Unfortunately you can't tell the difference by external characteristics. If you want to breed, a larger group of 6 or more snails is necessary - this increases the probability that males and females are present. Brotia armata is viviparous, but gives birth to very few young at a time. Breeding in the aquarium has already succeeded sporadically, but is not easy.

The Hedgehog Tower Snail wants a pH above 7, and it prefers rather mineral-rich water with a carbonate hardness above 3 and a total hardness above 6.  Temperature should not exceed 25 °C.

Our food recommendation: With the Natureholic Snail Feed Power Paste you create a feeding lawn, which is very well accepted by all growth eating snails. Also delicate wild caught snails like racing sn ails or staghorn snails, which are stressed after transport and don't like conventional food, can be fed up with this paste.

Our plant recommendation: Use for the planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.

Actively prevent outbreaks: With the revolutionary Natureholic Snail Barrier you minimize in the simplest way the breakout and the danger of injury of your snails from aquariums without cover. With just a finger swipe you apply the paste on the upper inner panes, snails will turn around at this invisible barrier and climb back into the aquarium.