Sulawesi Snail (Tylomelania P.)

This is one of several species of snails relatively newly discovered and come to the attention of aquarists under the name Sulawesi snails. The area of origin of Tylomelania patriarchalis is Lake Matano, in the island of Sulawesi, where, although most individuals are found in shallow waters, between 1 and 2 meters, specimens have been discovered even at 40 m depth. It is an invertebrate especially prized for its very interesting appearance, both of the body and of the shell.

Food

The feeding area of the snail Tylomelania partriarchis is the same one where it spends most of its time, the bottom area; it likes to dig in the sand to look for food. He will gladly consume the powdered food and, after a while, will also look for the tablets that have fallen into the substrate. It does not give in to either vegetable food or animal protein. It is a species with a regime of life both nocturnal and diurnal, therefore it will consume food, both day and night, but, depending on its presence or absence, it will adapt its rhythm of life. Therefore, under controlled conditions the aquarium will search for food predominantly during the day. However, it has shown a very rapid adaptability to new types and conditions of food. It is desirable that feeding be done several times a day.

Features

Tylomelania patriarchis is, like everyone in its genus, an above-average sized snail with a conical, dark brown shell, up to 117 mm long and 35 mm wide. It can produce up to 13 twists, with older snails having a corroded apex. The body is strongly colored and with a strong contrast, black with white spots, with straight antennae, at the base of which the eyes are positioned. The overall impression is of robustness.
As most of these snails are caught directly from nature, a period of accommodation in the aquarium is necessary, in which it is mandatory to provide them with hiding places and shady places where they can take refuge and reduce the stress of moving. However, this species proves adaptable and, after the accommodation period, which can last up to a week, will explore the new home, preferring soil, both soft and Sandy, observing the avoidance of high places. Those. it is great that the aquarium contains pieces of wood and leaves.
According to the conditions of the natural environment, it is preferable to give it soft water, and a little basic (example of conditions in which it feels very good: ph 7.5-8.5, Kh 2, Gh 0) with a slightly higher temperature, of 26-28 C. Due to its size, it will be offered an aquarium over 80 cm long.

Reproduction

It is not a hermaphrodite species, so for successful reproduction of these invertebrates, both sexes are needed. It is believed that fertilization of the female occurs through a spermatophore. The chicks will develop inside the female, this species being an ovoviviparous one, at emergence being fully developed. The female will give birth to a cub at two to eight weeks. The chicken will be about 0.5 cm and will feed mainly on algae.