Black Devil Spike Snail (Faunus ater)
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The Black Devil Spike Snail is an extremely hardy species that is also a very effective algae eater!
⚠️ Important Legal Note: All aquatic invertebrates are prohibited to possess in any form or sell in the state of Maine. Please check your local regulations before purchasing. We are unable to ship livestock from this listing to Maine. If you reside in Maine and try to checkout with this in your cart you will be unable to checkout and receive an error message until it is removed from the cart.
Also known as Lava Snails or Faunus ater, these dark and mysterious snails are highly underrated members of the aquarium hobby. They grow to a large size and feature gorgeous, glossy shells that range in color from chocolate brown to the deepest black. They mainly come from the brackish waters of Thailand, but can also be found in other parts of Asia. They can thrive in freshwater, but will only breed in brackish water.
These snails are relatives to the popular Malaysian Trumpet Snails, but they are more similar in shape and size to Giant Sulawesi Snails. They feature the long, whorled shells, but theirs tapers off into a sharper point and resembles a spike. A Black Devil Snail's shell color ranges from a rich chocolate brown to a beautiful, glossy black, and its body features gray/black or chestnut brown colors. They are usually 2 to 3 inches in length when full grown. Since they can grow this large, they need room to move, so it's a good idea to avoid dense vegetation or overcrowding in your aquarium.
Black Devil Snails are more hardy and more active than Giant Sulawesi Snails, having the ability to move faster throughout the aquarium. They are also able to live in colder temperatures and are known as excellent cleaners of substrate. If you have live plants in your tank, it's a good idea to keep them out of reach of these snails; they have been known to nibble on live plants. These are totally peaceful aquarium inhabitants and are safe to keep with shrimp and other snails.
NOTE: B-Grade snails will have some shell damage or calcification, but at otherwise perfectly healthy.
- Very active compared to other freshwater snails
- Excellent cleaners of substrate
- Safe with plants
- Completely peaceful
- Temperature: 71° - 82° F (22° - 28° C)
- pH: 7.0 - 8.5
- KH: 5 - 15 dKH
- Minimum tank size: 10 gallons per snail
- Diet: They eat algae and decaying plant matter, and they have also been known to munch on more delicate plants. They can mostly subsist on leftover fish/invertebrate flakes or pellets, but their diets should be occasionally supplemented with algae wafers and/or blanched vegetables such as zucchini, kale, spinach, or cucumber.
- Social behavior: Peaceful and solitary; will not engage with tankmates.
- Origin: Sulawesi region of Indonesia.
- Average adult size: 2 - 3 inches (5 - 7.6 cm)
- Average purchase size: 1 - 3 inches (2.5 - 7.6 cm)
What makes the Black Devil Spike Snail different from other snails?
Its shape and longevity. The long, jet-black, spiked shell gives it a dramatic look, and unlike many snails, this species can live for years when kept in stable conditions.
Are Black Devil Spike Snails freshwater or brackish?
They are commonly kept in freshwater aquariums and do very well long term in stable freshwater systems. Brackish water is not required for everyday care.
Are Black Devil Spike Snails good algae eaters?
They help with soft algae, biofilm, and leftover food, especially on hard surfaces. They’re steady grazers rather than fast or aggressive cleaners.
Do Black Devil Spike Snails bother plants?
No. They are completely plant safe and won’t damage healthy leaves. They move slowly and spend most of their time grazing or resting.
How big do Black Devil Spike Snails get?
They can reach 3 inches or more in shell length, though growth is slow. Their size adds presence without rapid population growth.
Do Black Devil Spike Snails reproduce in freshwater tanks?
No. While eggs may be laid, the larvae require different conditions to develop, so they will not overpopulate a freshwater aquarium.
Are Black Devil Spike Snails active or mostly hidden?
They’re slow and deliberate. Some days you’ll see them moving across glass or décor, other days they may stay tucked into one spot. Both behaviors are completely normal.
Are Black Devil Spike Snails beginner friendly?
Yes, as long as the tank is stable. They’re hardy, but they don’t tolerate sudden parameter swings very well.
Do Black Devil Spike Snails need special shell care?
Yes. Like all snails, shell health depends on stable water, calcium, and proper nutrition. Without enough minerals, shells can thin or erode over time.
Do I need to add calcium for this species?
Strongly recommended. Adding cuttlebone to the aquarium is an easy, low-maintenance way to provide ongoing calcium and support healthy shell growth.
What should I feed a Black Devil Spike Snail?
They’ll graze naturally on biofilm and algae, but supplemental feeding helps long term. Quality snail and invertebrate foods—such as those from Kats Aquatics—support shell strength, growth, and overall health.
Will shell damage repair itself over time?
Old shell damage won’t disappear, but new shell growth can come in smooth and strong with proper care. You’ll often see a visible improvement line where healthier growth begins.
Shipping, Arrival & Acclimation
How are Black Devil Spike Snails shipped?
They’re packed for live arrival using insulation and temperature control when needed. Shipping methods are selected to prioritize animal health, not just speed.
What should I do when my snail arrives?
Open the box promptly and inspect the snail while it’s still in the bag. It’s very common for this species to arrive inactive or tightly closed after transit.
How should I acclimate a Black Devil Spike Snail?
A slow acclimation works best. Gradually introduce tank water to the bag water so the snail can adjust to temperature and water chemistry changes.
Is drip acclimation recommended?
Yes. Drip acclimation helps reduce stress and is especially helpful for heavy-shelled snails that are sensitive to sudden parameter shifts.
Should I expect immediate movement after adding it to the tank?
Not necessarily. It’s normal for Black Devil Spike Snails to remain still for several hours—or even a full day—after acclimation.
How can I tell if the snail is alive?
If the operculum (trap door) is tightly closed, that’s usually a good sign. Once settled, most snails will slowly emerge and begin grazing.
Should I feed the snail right away?
You can wait. Most will begin grazing on biofilm naturally. Supplemental food can be offered once the snail becomes active.
What tanks are best for newly arrived Black Devil Spike Snails?
Established, cycled tanks with stable parameters and some biofilm are ideal. New or unstable tanks make acclimation much harder.
For the safety of our animals, we only ship live fish, crabs, and select other inverts exclusively via UPS 1 Day Air. If your order contains this item, you will only see UPS 1 Day Air as a shipping option during checkout. If other items are in your cart that can ship with 2 day or standard shipping options the only shipping method you can still select is UPS 1 Day Air.
UPS 1 Day is a description of the duration of time a shipment will spend in transit once it has been shipped. This does not guarantee the package will be shipped the same or next day from which the order was placed.
Shipping Schedule for this service
Current Handling Time:
1-9 business days
Here at Aquatic Arts, we consider the welfare of the live animals we are shipping to be of the foremost importance. This process is much more involved than simply creating a shipping label and affixing it to a box. Depending on the order, it takes from 4 to 7 people to complete this process properly. We check the weather conditions here where they fly out of the Indianapolis UPS facility and the destination for each shipment. We start early each morning and go through a multi-step process to have the day's shipments prepared in time for the UPS pickup. The volume of orders in our system also affects the processing time. Therefore our stated handling time is 1-9 business days.
Shipping Rate
Pricing is by size of package needed to fill entire order and distance it must travel. It will be calculated at checkout.
