The Blueberry Snail (Viviparus sp.) is a rare and striking freshwater snail from Papua, Indonesia, rapidly gaining popularity in the aquarium hobby for its vibrant appearance and peaceful demeanor. They are characterized by a dark, navy-blue to violet-brown shell and a body adorned with orange-gold speckles. Here is a brief overview of the Blueberry Snail:
- Appearance & Size: They have a spiral, conical shell that typically grows to 1–1.5 inches in diameter. Their most distinctive feature is their deep blue/violet coloration with orange flecks on the foot.
- Behavior & Tank Mates: They are peaceful, slow-moving, and non-aggressive, making them ideal for planted community tanks, shrimp tanks, and with calm, small fish.
- Diet & Feeding: Primarily omnivorous, they graze on algae and detritus. They are also known to be opportunistic filter-feeders, meaning they may require powdered foods or high-quality biofilm to thrive.
- Reproduction: Unlike many aquarium snails, these are livebearers that produce 1–3 fully developed young every few weeks. They require separate male and female individuals to reproduce, reducing the risk of overpopulation.
- Tank Requirements: They prefer well-established aquariums of 10+ gallons, with sandy substrates, and water temperatures between 70°F–84°F, with a pH of 7.0–8.5.
- Care Level: While they are not difficult in terms of behavior, they can be sensitive to water quality and are often considered challenging due to specific food requirements and high mortality rates in some imported batches.