Zebra apple snail
Asolene spixii
The zebra apple snail (Asolene spixii) is a South American freshwater snail in the family Ampullariidae. The accepted scientific spelling is spixii, with two i’s; the commonly used “spixi” is a trade and search variant. It grows to about three to four centimetres and is an opportunistic omnivore. It may eat more than biofilm and leftover food: the species profile also reports small-snail egg masses and occasional soft plant material. The care values on this page come from a reviewed aquarium profile and are not experimentally established limits. Hobby sources also disagree on its exact feeding role and claims that it controls hydra. This guide separates supported information from those uncertainties and does not promise that a food or plant will be safe without qualification.
Plan your aquarium →At a glance
- Temperature
- 24–26 °C
- pH
- 6.5–8.5
- GH
- 8–15 °dGH
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Adult size
- Approximately 3–4 cm
- Temperament
- Peaceful
About this species
Asolene spixii (A. d’Orbigny, 1838) is the accepted name in MolluscaBase/WoRMS (AphiaID 737599). The former combination Ampullaria spixii and names Ampullaria zonata and Ampullaria marginatra are linked to this species in WoRMS. “Asolene spixi” is common in aquarium trade, but is not the accepted spelling. It belongs to the Ampullariidae; do not automatically confuse it with other apple snails or possible hybrids.
Natural habitat
The species is native to South America; the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service cites southeastern Brazil, including the Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná areas. Aquarium and mollusc sources describe freshwater habitats such as rivers, ditches and canals, with plants and other surfaces. The origin of a shop specimen may not be known. A 2017 risk screening reported no documented establishment outside its native range at that time, but rated the certainty as low.
Aquarium and layout
Use a mature, stable freshwater aquarium with enough bottom area, shelter and foraging surfaces. The snail may partly bury itself. B-Aqua lists 80 litres as a minimum and 100 litres as recommended, but we found no independent support for that exact threshold; treat it as a conservative estimate from one aquarium source, not a proven minimum. Pay extra attention to young animals and soft-leaved plants. Prevent escape and remove egg masses only if you want to limit unwanted breeding.
Water conditions
B-Aqua’s temperature panel shows 20, 24, 26 and 30°C, pH 6.5–8.5 and GH markers 5, 8, 15 and 20. We use the inner temperature and GH markers (24–26°C and 8–15°dGH) as cautious guidance from that source; the pH span is the interval it reports. These are not experimentally proven optimum or safety limits. Avoid persistently very soft or acidic water, which may damage the shell. Keep values stable and make any changes gradually.
Behaviour and group size
The zebra apple snail is mainly a bottom-foraging animal and is usually described as non-aggressive. However, it is not a completely harmless algae eater: it may consume small-snail egg masses and nibble soft plant growth. Some hobby sources credit it with eating hydra, but the reliability of this claim is disputed and may be confused with hybrids. Do not buy a live animal as a pest-control tool. Avoid fish that repeatedly peck at its long tentacles.
Feeding
B-Aqua describes an opportunistic omnivore that may take biofilm, algae, detritus, leftovers, vegetables, microorganisms and small-snail egg masses. A Brazilian mollusc source summarizes the diet more simply as plants and algae, so we state this difference and recommend a varied offering. Hobby sources discuss types of food, but no specific catalogue product has been confirmed by a manufacturer as complete food for this species. Check that the snail is actually eating and avoid overfeeding the aquarium.
Breeding
Males and females are difficult to distinguish externally. Egg masses are laid underwater, for example on plants or hard surfaces, inside a gelatinous matrix. This differs from Pomacea species that lay eggs above the waterline. B-Aqua reports aquarium breeding, but clutch sizes and hatching times can vary with conditions. Check for juveniles and egg masses and prevent unwanted population growth. Never release animals or eggs into the wild.
Keeping with fish
The neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is only a conditional profile comparison. Published care values overlap narrowly around 24–25°C and pH 6.5–7.0; no controlled trial of this pairing was found. Keep them together only if the actual water is suitable and stable for both, the fish do not peck at the snail’s tentacles, and the snail has enough food. Avoid snail predators and larger fish that could injure it.
Keeping with other invertebrates
This species may eat egg masses from small snails, so it should not automatically be kept with breeding groups of small snails. Evidence is insufficient for specific shrimp pairings; avoid large or predatory crustaceans that could seize a snail. B-Aqua also warns against keeping it with Marisa cornuarietis because hybridization and identification problems have been reported. We do not link that species here because its public guide is not part of this release.
Exoskeleton, shell and minerals
A snail does not moult like a shrimp. Shell damage or pitting can have several causes, and appearance alone is not a diagnosis. Check pH, hardness, stable water quality and food availability. Do not add calcium or minerals without a reason or change water chemistry abruptly. Avoid copper-based treatments unless their safety for snails is confirmed.
Possible problems
Key concerns include confusion with other apple snails, possible nibbling of soft plants, eating small-snail egg masses and unwanted breeding. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s 2017 screening reported no establishment outside the native range at that time but rated the certainty low; this is not a current conservation assessment. We assign no formal conservation category. Check current local rules and never release aquarium animals, eggs, plants or water into nature.
Keeping with other species
Neon tetra
Suitable with conditionsConditional profile comparison, not a controlled trial with neon tetras. The care profiles overlap around 24–25°C and pH 6.5–7.0. The snail is omnivorous and can eat small-snail egg masses; attacks on healthy fish are not documented. Consider only with calm fish that do not peck at the tentacles, and observe the animals.
View species profile →Suitable plants
Dwarf Anubias
A conditional choice of a robust plant only. Anubias nana has tough leaves and can be attached to wood or stone. Aquarium sources report less damage to sturdy plants, but soft growth may be nibbled, especially by young or underfed Asolene. The plant is not guaranteed safe.
- Light
- Low, Moderate
- CO₂
- CO₂ injection not needed
Sources & review
This care guide draws on several specialist sources and was last checked on .
View the sources
- MolluscaBase / World Register of Marine Species — Asolene spixii (A. d’Orbigny, 1838)
- MolluscaBase / WoRMS REST service — WoRMS AphiaRecord 737599
- B-Aqua — Asolene spixii — fiche aquariophile validée
- Shrimp and Snail Breeder — Spixi Snail — Detailed Guide: Care, Diet, and Breeding
- Conquiliologistas do Brasil — Moluscos do Brasil — Asolene spixii (A. d’Orbigny, 1838)
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (2017; certainty rated low) — Ecological Risk Screening Summary: Asolene spixii
- European Commission, Environment — Invasive alien species — Union list and current measures