Waterhouse Snails (Notopala Waterhousei) - (No Online Purchases)

Scientific Name

• Notopala Waterhousei

Description:
The Waterhouse Snail (Notopala waterhousei) is one of Australia’s largest and most impressive freshwater snails. Often referred to as "the giant river snail" of the Australian outback, it is a fantastic choice for enthusiasts looking for a peaceful, plant-safe, and unique native invertebrate.
Unlike many common aquarium snails (like Ramshorns or Bladders) which are often seen as pests, Waterhouse Snails are live-bearers with a slow reproduction rate, making them much easier to manage.

Quick Care Stats

Feature                Requirement
Tank Size             40L (approx. 10 gal) minimum for a small group
Temperature        22°C – 28°C (72°F – 82°F)
pH Level              7.2 – 8.0 (Prefer alkaline water)
Hardness             Medium to Hard (High calcium is essential)
Diet                     Algae, biofilm, detritus, and sinking pelletsMax Size35mm – 45mm (diameter)

Key Characteristics & Behaviour

Plant Safety: They are strictly detritivores and algae eaters. They generally do not eat healthy aquarium plants, making them perfect for high-end aquascapes.

Suspension Feeders: Interestingly, they use their gills to filter-feed particles from the water in addition to grazing on surfaces.
Peaceful Giants: They are completely non-aggressive and can be kept with small fish (Tetras, Rasboras) and shrimp. Avoid large Cichlids or Loaches that might snack on them.

Shell Health: Because they grow quite large, they require significant amounts of calcium. In soft or acidic water, their shells can pit or dissolve.

Diet and Feeding 
While they will scavenge for natural biofilm and "periphyton" (a mix of algae and microbes), you should supplement their diet to ensure they thrive:
Algae Wafers: High-quality sinking tablets.
Blanched Veggies: Slices of zucchini, spinach, or kale (remove after 12 hours).
Calcium Supplements: Adding a piece of cuttlebone or crushed coral to the filter helps maintain shell thickness.
Breeding
Waterhouse Snails belong to the family Viviparidae, meaning they are live-bearers.
They do not lay eggs above or below the water. Instead, the female broods the young internally and releases fully formed, miniature versions of the adults.
They are not hermaphroditic; you need both a male and a female to breed.
The reproduction rate is low, so you won't suddenly find hundreds of them in your tank.

Setting Up Their Environment

Substrate:They prefer sand or fine gravel. They often spend time on the bottom and a coarse or sharp substrate can damage their soft foot.
Oxygen:They are sensitive to low dissolved oxygen. Ensure you have good surface agitation from a filter or an air stone.
Stability:They are native to permanent waterholes and billabongs in Central Australia and Queensland, so they appreciate stable water parameters.Pro Tip: If you see your Waterhouse Snail staying near the water line for extended periods, check your water quality. They are often "indicator species" that will climb higher if oxygen is low or ammonia is present.