Description

Military Helmet Snail (Filopaludina martensi)

📌 Basic Info

• Scientific Name: Filopaludina martensi

• Family: Viviparidae

• Origin: Southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam)

• Size: 2 – 3 inches (5 – 7.5 cm)

• Lifespan: 2 – 5 years

• Tank Zone: Bottom dwellers

🌊 Water Parameters

• TDS: 150 – 300 ppm

• pH: 7.0 – 8.0 (alkaline water helps shell health)

• Temperature: 22 – 28°C (72 – 82°F)

• Hardness: 6 – 15 dGH

🐌 Characteristics

• Named for their round, thick, helmet-shaped shells.

• Hardy and peaceful snail, good for community tanks.

• Burrow into the substrate often but will emerge to feed.

• Do not reproduce rapidly like pest snails – livebearers, but slow breeders.

🍽️ Food

• Type: Omnivorous with herbivore preference.

• Diet: Algae, leftover fish food, algae wafers, blanched veggies (zucchini, spinach, lettuce), calcium-rich foods.

• Feeding: Supplement if algae is low in the tank.

🛠️ Maintenance

• Tank Size: Minimum 15 gallons (for a few snails).

• Filtration: Gentle but efficient filter.

• Decor: Soft sand or fine gravel (they burrow), plants, rocks, driftwood.

• Water Change: 25–30% weekly; avoid sudden changes.

👥 Social Behavior

• Minimum Group Size: Can live alone or in groups (peaceful).

• Tank Mates: Guppies, Mollies, Tetras, Shrimp, Corydoras, peaceful fish.

• Avoid: Loaches, Pufferfish, or Assassin Snails (will prey on them).

✅ Do’s

• Provide calcium for strong shell growth.

• Use sand or soft substrate for burrowing.

• Keep water clean and stable.

❌ Don’ts

• Don’t keep with snail-eating fish.

• Don’t place in tanks with sharp decorations.

• Don’t let water become too acidic (can damage shells).

⭐ Quick Tips

• Strong, hardy snail with unique helmet-shaped shell.

• Helps clean algae and leftover food.

• Peaceful and suitable for community aquariums.