Asolene spixii
Zebra-striped apple snail relative — gold and dark-brown banding on a globose shell. Eats pest snail eggs, making it a gentler alternative to the assassin snail in a community tank. Slower-breeding than the Colombian ramshorn or pond snails, so doesn't take over.
Spixi Snail (Asolene spixii) is an aquarium snail in family Ampullariidae, native to South America. Adults reach 2–3 cm; minimum tank 40 L. Target 22–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.5, 5–15 dGH, 3–10 dKH. Shell calcium demand: medium. Diet: omnivore / scavenger, Algae, biofilm, fallen leaves, blanched veg, sinking pellet. Will eat pest snail eggs and small pest snails — a low-key population control. Breeding: Lays jelly egg clutches under the waterline. Slower breeders than pond snails or ramshorns. Algae-eating rating: 3/5. Plant-safe: Mostly yes (occasional nibbling). Tank mates: Peaceful community fish and shrimp.
Care at a glance
Zebra-striped apple snail relative — gold and dark-brown banding on a globose shell. Eats pest snail eggs, making it a gentler alternative to the assassin snail in a community tank. Slower-breeding than the Colombian ramshorn or pond snails, so doesn't take over.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete planted-aquarium guide.
The parameters that decide whether spixi snail fits in your tank.
Ampullariidae
Omnivore / scavenger
Algae, biofilm, fallen leaves, blanched veg, sinking pellet. Will eat pest snail eggs and small pest snails — a low-key population control.
Lays jelly egg clutches under the waterline. Slower breeders than pond snails or ramshorns.
2–3 yrs
Medium
Mostly yes (occasional nibbling)
South America
South America
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Minimum tank: 40 L. Spixi Snail (Asolene spixii) reach 2–3 cm as adults.
Target 22–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.5, 5–15 dGH, and 3–10 dKH. Shell calcium demand is medium, supplement with cuttlebone or a mineral stone if your water is soft.
Plant safety: Mostly yes (occasional nibbling). Spixi Snail are omnivore / scavenger, Algae, biofilm, fallen leaves, blanched veg, sinking pellet. Will eat pest snail eggs and small pest snails — a low-key population control.
Tank mates: Peaceful community fish and shrimp.
Algae-eating rating: 3/5. Algae, biofilm, fallen leaves, blanched veg, sinking pellet. Will eat pest snail eggs and small pest snails — a low-key population control.
Lays jelly egg clutches under the waterline. Slower breeders than pond snails or ramshorns.
Typical lifespan: 2–3 years in a stable, well-maintained tank.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this snail with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
