{"product_id":"bumblebee-pagoda-snail-brotia-pagodula","title":"Bumblebee Pagoda Snail (Brotia pagodula) | Live Freshwater Invertebrate","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eThe Bumblebee Pagoda Snail (Brotia pagodula) is a striking freshwater grazer with a tall, conical pagoda-spired shell ringed in dark and pale bands — the \"bumblebee\" patterning that gives the species its trade name. They cruise across rocks, driftwood, and substrate eating biofilm, soft algae, and detritus, and they're equally at home in community planted tanks, biotopes, and harder-water Asian setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eLooking for more invertebrates or freshwater livestock? Browse our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/a\u003e selection or the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFish \u0026amp; Livestock\u003c\/a\u003e collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eCare Quick-Look\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bumblebee Pagoda Snail\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brotia pagodula\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3 inches (shell length)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3 years with stable parameters\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gal\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–82 °F\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.2–8.0\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e GH 8–14, KH 4–8 (hard, alkaline preferred for shell health)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Beginner–Intermediate\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful — strict herbivore\/detritivore\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eTank Setup \u0026amp; Tank Mates\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eBumblebee Pagodas thrive in mature tanks with established biofilm, smooth rockwork, driftwood, and a sand or fine-gravel substrate (rough gravel can chip the long pagoda spires). Hard, alkaline water is the single most important parameter — soft, acidic water erodes their shells over time. Crushed coral or aragonite in the substrate or filter helps buffer KH and supplies dissolved calcium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eExcellent tank mates: peaceful community fish (rasboras, tetras, danios, peaceful gouramis), shrimp (Neocaridina, Caridina), and other non-aggressive snails like Nerites and Mystery snails. Avoid \u003cstrong\u003eassassin snails (Anentome helena), loaches (yoyo, clown, hillstream), pufferfish, and large cichlids\u003c\/strong\u003e — all will hunt or chew on snail flesh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eDiet\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003ePrimarily a biofilm and soft-algae grazer in the wild. In aquaria they accept a wide menu:\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSoft algae and biofilm growing on rocks, glass, and wood (their favorite)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBlanched vegetables — zucchini, spinach, kale, green beans\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSinking algae wafers, calcium-rich snail food\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eLeftover sinking pellets and protein flakes (in moderation)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eCuttlebone or crushed-coral chunks for supplemental calcium\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eFeed only what they finish in 12–24 hours and remove rotting veg promptly. Calcium availability is critical — without it, shell pitting and erosion follow within months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eAcclimation\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eDrip-acclimate slowly over 60–90 minutes. Snails are extra sensitive to sudden changes in pH, KH, and temperature. Confirm 0 ammonia \/ 0 nitrite, hard alkaline water, and stable temperature before introducing. Use a Seachem Prime conditioner on every water change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;\"\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eBumblebee Pagoda Snail\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eBrotia pagodula\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eSoutheast Asia (commercially farmed)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eHerbivore\/detritivore — biofilm, algae, blanched veg, calcium foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eFreshwater (tropical, hard, slightly alkaline)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eN\/A — freshwater species\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eYes — they ignore healthy plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish-food\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAlgae wafers \u0026amp; sinking snail\/invert pellets\u003c\/a\u003e — round out the diet beyond biofilm\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-treatments\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSeachem Prime \u0026amp; water conditioners\u003c\/a\u003e — stable parameters protect shell integrity\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eCrushed coral or aragonite — buffer KH and supply calcium for shells\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eCuttlebone — drop a piece in the tank for calcium grazing\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eOther freshwater livestock\u003c\/a\u003e — pair with peaceful community fish and shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they eat my plants?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Bumblebee Pagodas are biofilm and detritus grazers. They'll graze rotting plant leaves but ignore healthy growth — they're a great cleanup-crew option for planted tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they overrun my tank like other snails?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUnlikely. Pagoda snails reproduce slowly and many keepers see only one or two new snails per year, if any — nothing like the population explosion of bladder or trumpet snails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is hard water so important?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe shell is calcium carbonate. Soft, acidic water dissolves shell over months, leaving pits and weak spots that eventually fail. Keep KH 4–8 and add a calcium source for healthy shells.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat can't I keep them with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnything that eats snails: assassin snails, loaches (yoyo, clown, hillstream), pufferfish, larger cichlids. Bettas, gouramis, and tetras are all fine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I tell if a Pagoda is healthy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eActive foot, fully extended tentacles, and a clean shell tip without pitting. They retract when handled — that's normal. A snail that doesn't move for 24+ hours and gives off odor when picked up is failing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48518188171483,"sku":"FW1-F8973","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_ca1afd86-8d58-4429-af22-01cdb8b2aadb.jpg?v=1774634172","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bumblebee-pagoda-snail-brotia-pagodula","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}