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Spixi Snail

Asolene spixii · family Ampullariidae

Also: Zebra Apple Snail

Spixi Snail (Asolene spixii) — aquarium snail
Unsplash / Various photographers

Parameters

Temperature
20–26 °C
pH
6.5–8
Hardness
5–18 °dGH
Tank volume
from 40 L
Maximum size
up to 3 cm
Group size
min 2, ideal 4
Temperament
Peaceful
Difficulty
Intermediate
Lifespan
2–3 years

Pros and cons

  • Controls pest snail populations
  • Decorative zebra-striped pattern
  • Doesn't breed explosively like apple snails
  • Compatible with most fish
  • May attack rabbit and nerite snails
  • Don't keep with very small shrimp
  • Needs calcium for shell
  • Sometimes eats planaria — not a cure-all

Description

Spixi — a predatory apple snail that hunts other snails. Zebra black-and-gold pattern. An alternative to assassin snails for population control.

FAQ

Spixi vs assassin snail — which is better for pest control?
Spixi breeds slowly (good for small tanks) but is larger and more decorative. Assassin snails reproduce faster and are more efficient in big tanks. Spixi for looks + control; assassin for pure pest fighting.
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AuthorGoldie Editorial

Goldie editorial team

Practising aquarists with a combined 30+ years of experience · Biologists and editors, fact-checking against FishBase and Seriously Fish · Every piece is reviewed by a qualified ichthyologist before publication

Goldie Science Board — collective scientific review panel
Reviewed byGoldie Science Board

Scientific board — ichthyologists and veterinarians

Ichthyologists and veterinarians with university degrees · Reference FishBase, Seriously Fish and peer-reviewed literature · Sign every reviewed article with their credentials shown

Sources

  1. Wikipedia: Asolene spixii · Wikipedia · 2026-05-22