Spiral Horn Snails (Clithon diadema) - Live Freshwater

Clithon diadema, commonly known as the diademed or spiny nerite snail, is a type of freshwater snail that is popular in aquariums due to its attractive appearance and efficient algae-eating habits. It is part of the Neritidae family, which includes many other species of snails known for their algae-cleaning abilities.

Key Characteristics:

• Size: Clithon diadema typically grows to a size of 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) in shell diameter.
• Appearance:
  • The snail has a cone-shaped shell that is often marked with dark, striking bands or spots of color (like orange, black, or white). The bands can be different in color depending on the individual.
  • The shell is hard and glossy, with sharp, spiny protrusions on the top, giving it a unique, spiky appearance.
• Lifespan: These snails can live for 1 to 3 years, depending on water conditions and care.

Behavior and Habitat:

• Algae Eaters: Clithon diadema are primarily herbivores and are particularly good at consuming algae. They are especially adept at cleaning hard algae from glass, decorations, and plants, which makes them useful in controlling algae growth in aquariums.
• Slow-Moving: These snails move slowly and are not known for being particularly active or disruptive. They typically stay on aquarium surfaces or plants, feeding on algae and biofilm.

Care Requirements:

• Water Conditions: Clithon diadema prefer clean, well-maintained water with parameters:
  • Temperature: Between 72°F to 78°F (22°C to 25°C).
  • pH: Slightly alkaline to neutral, around 7.0 to 8.2.
  • Hardness: They thrive in harder water, around 10-20 dGH, which helps with their shell development.
• Tank Setup: A well-planted aquarium with hiding spots and hard surfaces for the snails to graze is ideal. They do well in aquariums with plenty of algae growth, but they also benefit from additional food sources like algae wafers or blanched vegetables.

Diet:

• Algae: Clithon diadema feeds on algae, including soft and hard varieties. They are excellent at cleaning up hard algae from surfaces.
• Supplements: In the absence of sufficient algae, you can supplement their diet with algae wafers, blanched vegetables (like zucchini, spinach, or lettuce), and high-quality snail food or fish flakes.

Breeding:

• Difficult to Breed in Freshwater: Like many nerite snails, Clithon diadema requires brackish water to breed. While they can reproduce in brackish conditions, they do not breed in freshwater aquariums. Their eggs are laid on hard surfaces but do not hatch unless placed in saltwater, which makes breeding in a typical freshwater setup very unlikely.
• Eggs: The eggs are small, white or clear, and are usually attached to aquarium glass, decorations, or plants. The eggs will not hatch unless the water conditions are adjusted to be brackish, which is not recommended in most freshwater tanks.

Tankmates:

• Peaceful: Clithon diadema is a peaceful species and can be kept with a wide variety of other peaceful fish and invertebrates. They work well in community tanks with species such as small fish, shrimp, and other snails.
• Avoid Aggressive Fish: It’s important to avoid keeping them with aggressive or large fish that may harass or damage the snails.

Important Care Tips:

• Water Quality: Clithon diadema is sensitive to poor water conditions, so regular maintenance and water changes are essential.
• Avoid Copper: Like most snails, they are sensitive to copper, which is often found in certain medications or water conditioners. Ensure that no copper-based treatments are used in the tank.
• Hardness: These snails prefer harder water, so soft water might not be suitable for them. It's important to maintain appropriate water hardness for optimal shell health.

Clithon diadema is a visually striking and useful addition to many aquariums, particularly for its algae-eating capabilities. These snails are peaceful, low-maintenance creatures that thrive in well-maintained, algae-rich environments. Their spiny, banded shells make them stand out, and their peaceful nature ensures they are compatible with most other aquarium species. However, they require slightly harder, well-maintained water and will not breed in freshwater.