Whoever
is on search for a large and easy-to-keep freshwater snail should try
the up to 10 cm long Brotia herculea. We recently received this species
from Thailand. The animals are relatives to the famed red-rimmed melania
(Melanoides tuberculata). But Brotia herculea hardly ever burrows
itself in the soil.
In
Brotia males and females exist. Sadly it is impossible to tell the
sexes apart. So anyone who is interested in breeding this animal should
buy a number of them to ensure that both sexes are included.
Brotia
herculea is a livebearing species. The juveniles are very numerous and
very tiny. Breeders found between 60 and 100 babies from one offspring.
Obviously these snails breed only twice or three times per year and have
still a kind a breeding season. For rearing the youngsters an old,
long-time running “dirty” tank fits best, otherwise one has to face a
lot of losses. B. herculea becomes fertile at an age of about two years
in aquaria. Then they are about 6 cm long.
Brotia
herculea feeds a lot. One can offer a broad variety of vegetables and
food tablets for ornamental fish. Some aquarium plants are also eaten.
It seems that individual preferences exist. If the snails are fed
properly they usually leave aquarium plants alone.
For our customers: the animals have code 481312 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
