Snail-Black Devil Faunus

🐌 Faunus Snail Care Guide

Charming, jet-black cleaners with a twist!

🔹 Overview

• Scientific Name: Faunus ater

• Common Names: Faunus Snail, Lava Snail, Black Devil Snail

• Size: 2–3.5 inches (5–9 cm)

• Lifespan: 3 – 5 years

• Temperament: Peaceful

• Tank Size: 10 gallons or larger

💡 With sleek black shells and gentle behavior, Faunus snails are excellent for planted or shrimp tanks.

💧 Water Parameters

✅ Prefers hard, alkaline water to maintain strong shell growth.
✅ Cannot survive in soft, acidic, or unstable conditions.

🏡 Tank Setup

• Substrate: Sand or smooth gravel

• Decor: Driftwood, rocks, plants (won’t eat them)

• Filtration: Moderate to strong — needs clean water

• Behavior: Burrows and grazes; mostly active at night

🌿 Ideal for planted tanks and aquascapes — helps clean detritus without damaging décor.

🍽️ Diet

• Algae and biofilm

• Sinking pellets and algae wafers

• Blanched veggies (zucchini, spinach)

• Calcium-rich foods to support shell health

⚠️ Needs extra calcium in the water or diet to prevent shell erosion.

🧬 Breeding

• Type: Brackish breeders (need saltwater to reproduce)

• In Freshwater: Will not reproduce — great for population control

• Eggs: May be laid, but won’t hatch in freshwater

🍼 Perfect if you love snails but don’t want accidental overbreeding.

✔️ Compatible Tankmates

• Shrimp (Caridina, Neocaridina)

• Peaceful nano fish (guppies, rasboras, endlers)

• Other non-aggressive snails (Mystery, Nerite, Ramshorn)

🚫 Avoid loaches, puffers, and crayfish — they may nip or kill snails.

🧼 Care Tips

• Weekly 10–20% water changes

• Monitor shells for chips or whitening — a sign of calcium deficiency

• Rinse algae wafers before feeding to avoid clouding the tank

• Keep lids closed — they may explore above the waterline!

❤️ Why You'll Love Faunus Snails

• Unique black shells and sleek conical shape

• Excellent tank cleaners with no risk of overbreeding

• Hardy and beginner-friendly

• Adds a dramatic, elegant touch to freshwater setups