Japanese Trapdoor Snail

Sinotaia quadrata, the Japanese Trapdoor Snail, is a peaceful and effective algae-grazing freshwater snail that seals its shell opening with a hard calcareous operculum when threatened. Unlike many freshwater snails, it is live-bearing and reproduces slowly, producing only a few offspring at a time, making it a safe choice for tanks where snail overpopulation is a concern. It tolerates a wide range of temperatures and is well suited to cooler setups.

Water: 15–25°C, pH 7.0–8.0, GH 8–18, KH 4–10; prefers harder, alkaline water for shell health. Tank: minimum 40 L, open substrate areas for grazing, some plant cover. Feeding: algae, biofilm, algae wafers, blanched vegetables; occasional calcium supplement. Behaviour: slow-moving bottom grazer; peaceful; uses trapdoor when disturbed. Compatibility: peaceful community; avoid assassin snails and aggressive fish.