Spiky Tower Snail (Tarebia scabra) – Hardy Algae-Eating Aquatic Snail for Freshwater Tanks, Biofilm Control & Natural Cleanup

Add a unique, rugged, and highly effective cleanup crew member to your aquarium with the Spiky Tower Snail (Tarebia scabra). Known for its distinctive textured shell, incredible durability, and powerful algae- and biofilm-eating abilities, this snail is perfect for freshwater aquarists who want a beautiful and functional addition to their tank. Spiky Tower Snails are adaptable, beginner-friendly, and thrive in a wide range of aquarium setups, from nano tanks to large community aquariums.

Tarebia scabra is prized for its efficient scavenging habits, helping maintain a balanced, cleaner aquatic environment with minimal effort. Unlike some snails that overpopulate quickly, this species has controlled reproduction and often only breeds steadily under ideal conditions, making it easier to manage in most tank setups. Its striking shell coloration, textured ridges, and constantly active behavior add visual interest to any aquascape.

✨ Key Features

• Unique spiky, ridged shell that adds exotic visual appeal

• Excellent algae eater, consuming soft algae and stubborn biofilm

• Hardy and beginner-friendly, tolerant of a wide range of conditions

• Great scavenger, helping reduce excess food and organic debris

• Compatible with most peaceful community fish

• Does not overrun tanks like some snail species

• Active during the day and night, always exploring and cleaning

• Fantastic for planted tanks, nano tanks & natural aquarium styles

🪸 Ideal For

• Community freshwater aquariums

• Natural aquascapes & planted tanks

• Shrimp tanks

• Nano tanks (5 gallons and up)

• Tanks struggling with algae or biofilm

• Aquarists wanting unique, uncommon freshwater snails

• Beginner hobbyists needing a hardy cleanup crew

🌱 Behavior & Benefits

• Actively grazes on biofilm, algae, detritus, leftover fish food, and decaying plant matter

• Helps reduce maintenance by keeping surfaces cleaner

• Burrows lightly in the substrate, improving oxygen flow without uprooting plants

• Peaceful and non-aggressive toward tank mates

• Shell texture makes them stand out against plants and hardscape

🌊 Care Requirements

Tank Size: 5+ gallons
Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 70–82°F

• pH: 7.0–8.2

• GH: 6–20 dGH (needs minerals for shell health)

• KH: Moderate–high preferred

Water Hardness Tip:
Provide calcium-rich foods or crushed coral if your water is naturally soft to prevent shell erosion.

🐌 Diet

In addition to naturally grazing on algae and biofilm, Spiky Tower Snails enjoy:

• Blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach)

• Algae wafers

• Bottom-feeder pellets

• Calcium-enriched snail foods

They are not plant-destroyers and generally leave healthy plants alone.

🧬 Breeding

Tarebia scabra are livebearing snails, producing small broods. Reproduction is:

• Slower than pest snails

• Easier to manage

• Dependent on stable water, high minerals & steady food supply

This makes them ideal for aquarists who want a snail population that remains balanced.

🤝 Tank Mates

Great with:

• Tetras, rasboras, danios

• Livebearers

• Shrimp (Neocaridina & Caridina)

• Corydoras & peaceful bottom dwellers

• Other snail species

• Non-aggressive nano fish

Avoid keeping with:

• Loaches

• Pufferfish

• Snail-eating cichlids

🧪 Aquarium Role

Spiky Tower Snails excel at:

• Algae control

• Biofilm removal

• Eating leftover food

• Reducing detritus

• Enhancing biological filtration

Their constant grazing helps stabilize micro-ecosystems in freshwater tanks.