Like most neritine snails, Clithon sowerbianum, known as the mini neritine snail, is extremely variably colored. As early as the 19th century, a number of variants were therefore scientifically named, but these are no longer considered to be of systematic importance. However, it must be clearly stated that the identification of the 57 accepted Clithon species (according to the international scientific database WoRMS (World Register of Marine Species)) is a matter for specialists.
Ultimately, however, the exate species identification of Clithon is rather irrelevant from an aquaristic point of view, as all species remain small (around 2 cm), live in fresh and brackish water, are good algae eaters and do not reproduce without special breeding aquariums with seawater. They are therefore similar in their care requirements.
More recently, in Southeast Asia—the native habitat of these snails—people have begun sorting them by color. A particularly sought-after color variety of Clithon sowerbianum is “Pink Lady,” in which a deep pink base color serves as the selection criterion. However, the shell coloration of C. sowerbianum is so variable that virtually every individual can be identified by it. It seems to work much like human fingerprints. Fascinating, isn’t it? The remaining C. sowerbianum are also given an additional descriptive name because it makes them easier to distinguish from the “Pink Lady” on price lists. They are therefore called “Marble.”
For our customers: “Pink Lady” has code 485490, and “Marble” has 485489 on our stock list. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesalers.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
