Black Devil Spike Snails

I've noticed that there isn't an extensive amount of information on these great little guys. As such I will be posting everything I learn through observation and research. If you have any experience with them feel free to comment what you know.

Black Devil Spike
Devil Snail
Lava Snail
Cappuccino Snail
Faunus Ater

Appearance:
Long pointed shell up to 3" in length
Has approx. 20 smooth whorls.
Shell can be variations of black, dark brown, dark red, and white
Inner shell appears creamy white
Trap door is deep brown in colour.
Foot can be variations of deep grey, red, or a brownish colour with light spots.
Eye stalks angle down
'Nose' similar to rabbit snail

Diet:
Omnivore.
In nature reportedly eats from silt and mud.
Conflicted reports on whether or not they like algae.
Reportedly will eat plants. I think they will only do this if there is not enough food otherwise.
Will very likely need a supplement

Tank:
10 gallons minimum for 1 snail
71-82f (22-28c)
Reportedly does best with pH of 7-8.5
kH 5-15 dKH

Behaviour:
Seems to be ok with sand or gravel substrate but prefers sand.
Sifts through sand similar to trumpet snails.
Seems to have difficulty climbing up glass or upside down in decor due to shell size/weight.
Can easily right self if they fall onto their back.
Peaceful and ignores tank mates.
Moves very fast for a snail.

Reproduction:
Supposedly only reproduces in brackish or marine conditions but has been reported breeding successfully in fresh water.
Male and female snails cannot be distinguished visually

 

Thanks for the info. Do you have any or have you just been researching them and plan to keep in the future or just strictly getting info on them?

 

Thanks for the info. Do you have any or have you just been researching them and plan to keep in the future or just strictly getting info on them?

I've been researching them for about a month and a half now. I also have just gotten 3 of my own today

 

I've been researching them for about a month and a half now. I also have just gotten 3 of my own today

Well you forgot one of the most important parts of your thread..... Pics Congrats on the new additions hope they do well for you!!

 

I used to have 4 and gave 2 away (I ordered 2 and only had room for 2 but they sent me 4). I love them. It is funny to watch them make so much effort and struggle to climb up the side of the tank. They kinda slide up a couple and back down one. It’s because they literally have to pick up their foot and place it ahead of their current position. That shell must be heavy!

 

I used to have 4 and gave 2 away (I ordered 2 and only had room for 2 but they sent me 4). I love them. It is funny to watch them make so much effort and struggle to climb up the side of the tank. They kinda slide up a couple and back down one. It’s because they literally have to pick up their foot and place it ahead of their current position. That shell must be heavy!

I have literally watched one of them climb all the way to the top and then slowly slide down only to repeat the whole process for almost 3 hours. Can't tell if hes stubborn or having fun.

 

I have literally watched one of them climb all the way to the top and then slowly slide down only to repeat the whole process for almost 3 hours. Can't tell if hes stubborn or having fun.

Rofl right? It just seems so futile but hey, at least they are getting their exercise!

 

Update;

I've been taking close looks at my new snail friends and have discovered some really cool variations between them. It appears that some have bright yellow stripes or splotches on them. Most seem to have little white freckles.

The shells of the ones that seem pure blacl have barely visible stripes of a very deep red.

I've read a lot about how they are mostly solitary and like to be kind of on their own. I currently have 3 in a 20 long with a betta and 2 nerites. I had intended to put one of the devil spikes in my 15- however I now am thinking I may just leave them all there because they are almost always together. Just like my garden snails they seem to like to huddle together when they rest. Even the nerites seem to like to stick around them.

They seem to be easily startled- looking at them with a flash light, moving plants, etc all causes them to immediately shut up in their shells.

I have yet to see them eat too much of the plants. They did munch on some of my new ones a little bit but after offering an algae wafer they left it.

Here are some pictures of their cute little markings. One has some eggs on his shell - no clue if theyre nerite or devil spike eggs because they had them when I got them.

 

Update;

I've been taking close looks at my new snail friends and have discovered some really cool variations between them. It appears that some have bright yellow stripes or splotches on them. Most seem to have little white freckles.

The shells of the ones that seem pure blacl have barely visible stripes of a very deep red.

I've read a lot about how they are mostly solitary and like to be kind of on their own. I currently have 3 in a 20 long with a betta and 2 nerites. I had intended to put one of the devil spikes in my 15- however I now am thinking I may just leave them all there because they are almost always together. Just like my garden snails they seem to like to huddle together when they rest. Even the nerites seem to like to stick around them.

They seem to be easily startled- looking at them with a flash light, moving plants, etc all causes them to immediately shut up in their shells.

I have yet to see them eat too much of the plants. They did munch on some of my new ones a little bit but after offering an algae wafer they left it.

Here are some pictures of their cute little markings. One has some eggs on his shell - no clue if theyre nerite or devil spike eggs because they had them when I got them.

View attachment 587587 View attachment 587588

He almost has a blue hue. Is that correct?

I think those are nerite snail eggs. The little turds like to lay on my mystery snails so I’m familiar. Lol

 

He almost has a blue hue. Is that correct?

I think those are nerite snail eggs. The little turds like to lay on my mystery snails so I’m familiar. Lol

Yes- the blue and white makes him look a little space-y lol.

I assumed they were nerite eggs because they look the same as the ones mine have laid all over my driftwood but I don't recall seeing any nerites in the tank I bought him from. Not that it really matters though- makes it pretty easy to tell him apart.

 

UPDATE:
They WILL eat plants that aren't completely healthy
They continue to spend the majority of their time together.
Eggs look virtually identical to nerite eggs
Snails seem to enjoy sleeping partially under the sand. Unsure how exactly they get their shell so far into the sand with their front/ foot completely above.

Still looking for help from people who have bred nerites, rabbit snails, or specifically faunus aters!