✅ Size: Young Adult: 3-4 cm
✅ Spiny Marsh Snail (Thiara Amarula) is a freshwater species belonging to Thiaridae family. They are hardy and have beautiful shell-shape. They are native to Australia, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mauritius and Papua New Guinea. They grow approximately up to 5-6 cm and have a relatively long life. Colours of this snail are usually in shades of brown but blue and black colours are also common. It can be rarely found in trade. Thiara Amarula is an efficient algae eater and an excellent candidate for aquariums.
✅ The Spiny Marsh Snails burrows into sediment and gravel in cold freshwater streams just above the tidal influence. A hobbyist can find them amongst rocks and pebbles in their natural habitats. They eat detritus, excess algae and aerate aquarium substrate by scratching the gravel. Unlike other pest snails, it is easy to control its population in aquariums. Spiny Marsh Snail can be a perfect tank mate for non-aggressive fish, Neocaridina shrimp (cherries), Australian shrimp, Red Nose Shrimp and such species. They are less compatible with other Caridina genus shrimps like Red Crystal Shrimp, Bee Shrimp which prefers more acidic waters.
Since burrow regularly and turn the aquarium substrate they may be unsuitable for a heavily planted aquarium as they may cause some plants to unattached from the substrate. They are sensitive to bright light and burrow themselves into the substrate during the day time. Under lower to moderate lighting conditions, especially at night, they are active on the substrate and even climb the glass walls. They are suitable for brackish water aquariums with a low salt concentration.
The temperature of the water must be between 16° to 25° Celsius. Spiny Marsh Snails prefer alkaline water with low to medium hardness and don’t need a lot of dissolved minerals like Calcium Carbonate. The shell dissolves in acidic conditions (pH < 6.0) and the snails do not come out.
Spiny Marsh Snail consumes excessive algae and detritus which makes them useful in removing dead spots in the aquarium substrate by eating unwanted waste materials. They don’t eat aquarium plants. In the absence of algae source, they can be fed on fish food, shrimp food, spinach leaves, mulberry leaves, etc. They also eat boiled vegetables like cucumber and zucchini. They accept all forms of food (commercial pellets, flakes, etc.).
Due to the biology of Spiny, Marsh Snails has not been studied thoroughly their breeding behaviours are not well known. As far as is known, they release free-swimming veliger larvae from the cephalic pouch and the larvae move into brackish water areas of the rivers before migrating back upper parts to settle. This requirement makes breeding in aquarium unlikely. Hence, their numbers will not bloom in freshwater aquariums.
We can’t ship Livestock and Live Plants to WA and TAS due to State Restrictions. Kindly check out our DOA and other policies before purchase!!
Important Notes:
Our goal is to use the fastest delivery service possible, although the shipping fee may be higher, we always want our customers to be satisfied and make sure the livestock arrives at your door safe and healthy.
** DOA POLICY UPDATED AUGUST 02 2023
** Area do not ship.
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However, the shrimp and fish you receive may be discolored and the reason of this issue is strong vibration during transportation and they're not be fed during the transport period
To handle this problem we highly recommend to you:
🚩Let the fish relax helps them adapt to any changes in water temperature in the tank. Also prevents pH shock - an imbalance between the water in the shop tank and your tank.
🚩Place the fish bag in a cool, corner, and dark place. Prevent the bag from being bumped, slipped, or dropped. This'll give your new fish a good recovery and acclimatization after a shaky ride from the shop to your home.
🚩Feed your old fish first to distract them, preventing them from bullying your new fish.
🚩Your new aquarium tank should have a pH of zero ammonia and chlorine before adding new fish.
🚩Turn off the lights, reduce the glare in the room, or limit the light entering the aquarium. This will help the new fish not be stressed.