Horned snail (Clithon diadema)

One well-known member of the Neritina (Neritina) family of freshwater mollusks is the horned snail (Clithon diadema).

The genus Clithon is the official name given to these snails in the southern sea latitudes that wash over a sizable portion of China, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Its natural habitats are sandy or rocky lagoons and small river estuaries.

Furthermore, this snail’s appearance has already earned it the nickname Horned, which accurately describes how it looks—it truly has growths that resemble horns, or spines. Furthermore, the arrangement of each individual’s spines varies depending on the uniqueness of the snail; if a spine does occasionally break off, it has no effect on the snail’s health.

These are the ones that give the common snail its unusual and striking appearance—black stripes set against a yellow background—earning the snail the nickname "Bee-line" among Russian aquarists, since the same color scheme can be seen in the mobile operator’s corporate identity.

Spikes are the snail"s real protection from the enemy, if a person tries to squeeze them in his hand, he will receive a noticeable injection and feel acute pain. The same thing will happen to a fish that wants to try the horned snail to taste. The coloring of the shell is very original and attractive – yellowish-olive stripes alternate with black ones, which gives them extravagance. Unlike large Neritines, Clithon diadema snails grow much smaller – only 10-20 mm. Therefore, even 20 pieces in a 10-liter aquarium will look elegant and they will have enough space. The presence of these snails in the aquarium will definitely attract the attention of observers, since they are not only unusual in appearance, but also perfectly emphasize the underwater aquarium design.

The horned snail is highly respected for its abilities despite its small size. The truth is that these snails consume algae "tremendously fast" in spite of their size. Thus, if algae thrive in your aquariums, the horned snail will promptly address this issue. They devour the hard green algae known as xenococcus, which can be removed with significant effort using a hard sponge or a blade. Because of their remarkable shell weightlessness, these snails can fit into even the most confined spaces, and you can safely clean even the most delicate aquarium plants with them.

This species’ requirement for seawater for multiplication prevents it from growing in freshwater aquariums. Hence, you won’t have to worry about how to get rid of the extra snails in your underwater world later on when you buy such an inhabitant. As bizarre as it may seem, snails are now a staple of the aquarium industry, where they primarily serve as cleaners.

Another amazing feature of horned snails is their constant grazing on plants and hard surfaces like glass and decorations. They even devour hard green algae with perfection. Similar to Zebra Neritina, Neritina natalensis, they avoid contact with small-leaved plants as well.

Any size aquarium will feel fantastic with horned snails because they are incredibly low maintenance. It is advised to keep them in water with a pH of at least 7 and a water hardness of at least 10–13 in order to keep them healthy. If not, their death will result from the collapse of the snail shell. Both warm and cool water can be carried by horned snails; in the latter case, they act considerably more aggressively. Water temperatures rarely fall below 24 °C on average, and when they do, the activity of the organisms decreases.

These snails don’t emerge from the water by crawling. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that if your slingshots are frequently leaving the water, something is wrong. Maybe it’s time to change the aquarium’s water and turn on the filter and compressor.

They can remove bothersome spotted algae from glass, stones, driftwood, decorations, and even plants in a matter of days, unlike anyone else. Furthermore, they will always find something to eat, even after the aquarium is spotless. A few different kinds of fish, shrimp, and other gastropods get along well with these snails, except for the predatory Anentome Helena. Neritines should not be left alone; they prefer to be in small groups.

Horned Nerites come in a wide range of species that will satisfy your preferences for aquarium design while also helping you broaden your perspective on snails in general.

Horned Snails (Neritina Clithon) typically live between two and five years.

Post category: Aquarium Invertebrates / Snails

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Clithon diadema, also known as the horned snail, is an interesting and resilient addition to any aquarium. This snail, which is distinguished by its horn-like, spiky shell, not only provides visual appeal but also serves a functional purpose in preserving a healthy tank environment. It is a fantastic option for both novice and seasoned aquarists because it regulates the growth of algae and is simple to maintain. Comprehending its requirements and habits in its habitat can augment its advantages and guarantee a flourishing aquatic arrangement.

2013-10-21