Filopaludina martensi is a large, peaceful freshwater snail highly valued both in the wild and in the aquarium hobby for its striking shell, gentle behavior, and useful scavenging role.

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Taxonomy & Identification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Mollusca
• Class: Gastropoda
• Family: Viviparidae
• Genus: Filopaludina
• Species: Filopaludina martensi (Frauenfeld, 1864)

It is a gill‑breathing, operculate snail, meaning it has a hard “trapdoor” (operculum) that seals the shell when the animal retracts for protection. 

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Natural Distribution & Habitat

Filopaludina martensi is native to Southeast Asia, occurring in:

• Thailand
• Cambodia
• Laos
• Vietnam
• Malaysia
• Indonesia
• Philippines

In the wild, it inhabits slow‑moving or still freshwater systems such as canals, ponds, rice paddies, swamps, and ditches, usually over muddy or sandy substrates. 

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Physical Description

• Shell shape: Ovate‑conical, thick, and sturdy
• Whorls: 6–7 rounded whorls; last whorl swollen
• Shell color:
  • Wild forms: greenish‑brown to dark brown/black
  • Aquarium “white” forms: creamy white to ivory with a darker apex
• Apex: Sharp, often violet‑black
• Size:
  • Height up to 55 mm (≈ 2.2 in)
  • Width up to 31 mm (≈ 1.2 in)

The operculum is horn‑colored with a subtle golden sheen and concentric growth lines. 

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Behavior & Ecology

• Temperament: Very peaceful and shy
• Activity: Mostly nocturnal, though acclimated individuals may forage during the day
• Feeding mode:
  • Filter‑feeds using gills
  • Grazes on biofilm, detritus, and microorganisms

Unlike many snail species, it is live‑bearing (viviparous). Females carry developing young internally and give birth to fully formed juveniles, usually at night. Brood size ranges from 0–14 young per female. 

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Aquarium Care Guide

Tank Requirements

• Minimum tank size: 10 gal (≈ 40 L) recommended
• Substrate: Fine sand or smooth gravel (important to prevent foot damage)
• Decoration: Driftwood, rocks, live plants
• Lighting: Moderate (encourages biofilm)

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 20–28 °C (68–82 °F)
• pH: 7.0–8.5 (neutral to alkaline)
• Hardness: Medium to hard (important for shell health)

Stable water quality is critical; sudden changes can cause long periods of inactivity or shell deterioration. 

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Diet

Filopaludina martensi is an omnivorous scavenger, not a heavy algae eater.

Recommended foods:

• Algae wafers
• Sinking pellets
• Blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach, cucumber)
• Biofilm and decaying plant matter

Calcium supplementation (cuttlebone, mineral blocks) is advised to prevent shell erosion. 

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Compatibility

• Safe with:

  • Small peaceful fish
  • Shrimp
  • Other non‑aggressive snails

• Avoid:

  • Loaches
  • Snail‑eating cichlids
  • Puffers

They do not damage live plants and reproduce slowly, so overpopulation is rarely an issue. 

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