{"product_id":"chopstick-snail-stenomelania-torulosa-freshwater","title":"Chopstick Snail (Stenomelania torulosa)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eChopstick Snail\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eStenomelania torulosa\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most unusual looking snails in the freshwater hobby, with a long, slender, tightly spiraled shell that tapers to a fine point like the tip of a chopstick. It spends much of its life half buried in sand, plowing slowly through the substrate and eating detritus, biofilm, and leftover food that other cleaners miss. It is completely peaceful, leaves plants alone, and does not breed in freshwater, so a few of them will never turn into a snail explosion. Pair it with the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003efreshwater cleanup crew\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSand is a must:\u003c\/strong\u003e chopstick snails are burrowers. A soft sand bed such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/estes-natural-aquatic-sand\"\u003eEstes Natural Aquatic Sand\u003c\/a\u003e at least an inch or two deep lets them dig, turn over the substrate, and help keep pockets of waste from building up. On coarse gravel they struggle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpect to see them less:\u003c\/strong\u003e they are most active at night and often sit with only the shell tip showing. That is normal, not a sign of trouble.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHard water for strong shells:\u003c\/strong\u003e keep pH at 7.0 or higher with moderate to high hardness. Soft, acidic water erodes the long shell, starting at the tip. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-equilibrium-gh-mineral-builder-planted\"\u003eSeachem Equilibrium\u003c\/a\u003e helps if your water is soft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeed them too:\u003c\/strong\u003e they eat detritus, biofilm, and leftovers, but a very clean or brand new tank can leave them hungry. Drop a sinking food such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-mini-algae-wafers\"\u003eHikari Mini Algae Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-shrimpee-sinking-sticks-shrimp-food\"\u003eXtreme Shrimpee Sticks\u003c\/a\u003e near them a few times a week.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature tanks only:\u003c\/strong\u003e add them to an established, cycled aquarium with stable water. They are wild collected and do not appreciate swings in temperature or chemistry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo copper:\u003c\/strong\u003e copper based medications kill snails. Read labels before dosing any tank that holds them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;margin:8px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eStenomelania torulosa\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlso known as\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eChopstick Snail, Tower Snail\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 2 to 3 inches long\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e10 gallons with a sand substrate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 80°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e7.0 to 8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eModerate to hard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eDetritus, biofilm, leftovers, and sinking foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eDoes not reproduce in freshwater aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 2 to 3 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWild collected, coastal rivers of the tropical Indo-Pacific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChopstick snails are harmless to fish, shrimp, other snails, and plants, so the question is only what might bother them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGreat with:\u003c\/strong\u003e shrimp such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/amano-shrimp-caridina-multidentata-freshwater\"\u003eAmano Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cherry-shrimp-neocaridina-davidi-freshwater\"\u003eCherry Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, other hard water snails like the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/white-hercules-snail-brotia-herculea-freshwater\"\u003eWhite Hercules Snail\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-rabbit-snail-tylomelania-sp-freshwater\"\u003eBlue Rabbit Snail\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/racetrack-nerite-snail-vittina-sp-freshwater\"\u003eRacetrack Nerite\u003c\/a\u003e, and calm community fish like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bumble-bee-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus-freshwater\"\u003eplaties\u003c\/a\u003e and corys.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e puffers, clown loaches, yo-yo loaches, crayfish, and large cichlids, all of which eat snails. Very aggressive diggers can also keep them from settling into the sand.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/estes-natural-aquatic-sand\"\u003eEstes Natural Aquatic Sand\u003c\/a\u003e for a bed they can burrow in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-mini-algae-wafers\"\u003eHikari Mini Algae Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e as a sinking supplement\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-soilent-green-algae-gel-food\"\u003eRepashy Soilent Green\u003c\/a\u003e, a gel food snails and shrimp both graze\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-equilibrium-gh-mineral-builder-planted\"\u003eSeachem Equilibrium\u003c\/a\u003e for hardness and healthy shells\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-general-hardness-gh-test-kit-freshwater\"\u003eFritz GH Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e to confirm your water supports shell growth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they overrun my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e No. Their larvae need brackish water to develop, so chopstick snails do not reproduce in a freshwater aquarium. The number you add is the number you keep.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI have not seen mine in days. Is it alive?\u003c\/strong\u003e Probably. They burrow deeply and come out mostly at night. Check after lights out with a flashlight, or look for the pointed shell tip at the sand surface. A dead snail usually floats or gives off a strong smell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is the tip of the shell turning white or breaking?\u003c\/strong\u003e That is shell erosion from soft or acidic water. Test pH and GH, raise hardness if needed, and new shell growth at the opening will come in solid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they safe with shrimp and plants?\u003c\/strong\u003e Completely. They do not eat healthy plants or harm shrimp, and their digging helps keep a sand bed from going stale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I get?\u003c\/strong\u003e One per 5 to 10 gallons is plenty for a typical community tank. Because they do not breed, you can add more later if you want more visible activity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Carolina Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48644798644443,"sku":null,"price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_3efce4f6-8947-40e4-8e97-0b2a99ace957.png?v=1776961719","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/chopstick-snail-stenomelania-torulosa-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}