Wizard Snail – Filopaludina martensi
The Wizard Snail (Filopaludina martensi), also commonly sold as the White Wizard Snail or White Ghost Wizard Snail, is an unusual freshwater snail known for its pale shell, peaceful temperament, and distinctive grazing and filter-feeding behavior.
Wizard Snails are excellent additions to mature freshwater aquariums where they can graze on biofilm, soft algae, detritus, and leftover foods. They are also livebearing snails, producing fully formed young rather than laying large visible egg clutches.
Key Features
- Attractive pale white to cream-colored shell
- Peaceful freshwater snail
- Grazes on biofilm, soft algae, and detritus
- Can also filter-feed microorganisms from the water
- Plant-safe under normal conditions
- Livebearing species
- Usually reproduces much more slowly than many common aquarium snails
- Excellent for mature community and shrimp aquariums
Snail Information
- Common Name: Wizard Snail
- Also Known As: White Wizard Snail, White Ghost Wizard Snail, White Trapdoor Snail
- Scientific Name: Filopaludina martensi
- Family: Viviparidae
- Origin: Southeast Asia
- Water Type: Freshwater
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Adult Size: Approximately 1.5–2 inches
- Diet: Omnivorous grazer / detritivore / filter feeder
- Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Appearance
Wizard Snails are known for their attractive pale shell, which may range from ivory and cream to nearly white.
The shell is elongated and conical, and the snail has an operculum, sometimes called a trapdoor, that closes over the shell opening when the snail retracts.
Color and shell pattern may vary somewhat between individual snails.
Adult Size
Most Wizard Snails reach approximately 1.5–2 inches in shell length when mature.
Growth rate and maximum size can vary depending on age, diet, water chemistry, and overall aquarium conditions.
Recommended Aquarium Size
A 10-gallon aquarium or larger is a good practical minimum.
Larger, mature aquariums are preferred because they provide greater water stability and more natural biofilm and grazing surfaces.
Recommended Water Parameters
- Temperature: Approximately 72–82°F
- pH: Approximately 7.0–8.0
- Water Hardness: Moderately hard to hard
- Ammonia: 0 ppm
- Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: Kept low through routine maintenance
Wizard Snails benefit from mineral-rich water with adequate calcium to support healthy shell growth.
Shell Health and Calcium
Proper calcium and mineral availability are important for maintaining a strong shell.
Signs that water may be too soft or acidic can include:
- White pitting
- Shell erosion
- Thin or brittle shell growth
- Chalky shell surfaces
When needed, mineral content may be supported with products such as crushed coral, cuttlebone, mineral supplements, or calcium-rich foods that are appropriate for aquarium use.
Aquarium Setup
Wizard Snails do best in mature freshwater aquariums with plenty of surfaces for grazing.
- Use a fully cycled aquarium
- Provide stable water chemistry
- Use gentle to moderate water flow
- Maintain good oxygenation
- Add driftwood and rocks for grazing surfaces
- Provide live plants
- Use sand or smooth gravel substrate
- Allow some natural biofilm to develop
Feeding
Wizard Snails should not be expected to survive on aquarium algae alone.
They naturally graze on:
- Biofilm
- Soft algae
- Detritus
- Decaying organic material
- Microorganisms suspended in the water
Supplemental foods may include:
- Algae wafers
- Sinking shrimp or bottom-feeder pellets
- Calcium-enriched snail foods
- Blanched zucchini
- Blanched spinach
- Other aquarium-safe vegetables
Very clean or newly established aquariums may not contain enough natural food, so supplemental feeding is particularly important.
Filter-Feeding Behavior
One of the most interesting traits of Wizard Snails is their ability to filter-feed.
In addition to grazing surfaces, they can use their gills to collect tiny food particles and microorganisms suspended in the water column.
Temperament
Wizard Snails are peaceful and do not normally bother fish, shrimp, other snails, or healthy aquatic plants.
They are well suited to calm community aquariums with species that do not prey on snails.
Compatible Tankmates
Suitable tankmates may include:
- Peaceful tetras
- Rasboras
- Guppies
- Platies
- Corydoras
- Peaceful rainbowfish
- Freshwater shrimp
- Other peaceful snails
Avoid known snail predators such as many pufferfish, assassin snails, and larger snail-eating loaches.
Are Wizard Snails Safe for Plants?
Yes. Wizard Snails are generally considered plant-safe.
They primarily graze biofilm, algae, detritus, and decomposing organic matter rather than healthy plant tissue.
Breeding
Wizard Snails are livebearers.
Females brood developing young internally and release fully formed juvenile snails rather than laying large gelatinous egg masses or above-water egg clutches.
Males and females are separate sexes, so reproduction requires both sexes to be present.
They typically reproduce much more slowly than pest snails such as bladder or ramshorn snails.
Will Wizard Snails Overrun the Aquarium?
They are much less likely to produce a sudden population explosion than many common aquarium snails.
Their slower reproductive strategy makes them easier to manage in established aquariums.
Copper Warning
Use caution with medications or treatments containing copper.
Like other freshwater snails and many invertebrates, Wizard Snails can be highly sensitive to copper.
Always verify that any medication or treatment is safe for snails before adding it to the aquarium.
Important Care Notes
- Add only to a fully cycled aquarium.
- Maintain ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm.
- Provide adequate calcium and mineral content.
- Avoid very soft, acidic water long term.
- Do not rely on algae alone as a complete diet.
- Use caution with copper-containing medications.
- Provide smooth substrate and grazing surfaces.
- Never release aquarium snails into local waterways.
Frequently Asked Questions
How large do Wizard Snails get?
Most adults reach approximately 1.5–2 inches.
Are Wizard Snails good algae eaters?
They graze on soft algae and biofilm, but they should not be purchased as an algae-only cleanup solution. They still require a varied diet.
Do Wizard Snails eat live plants?
They generally leave healthy aquatic plants alone and primarily consume biofilm, algae, detritus, and decaying material.
Do Wizard Snails lay eggs?
No large external egg clutches are produced. They are livebearing snails and release fully formed juveniles.
Are Wizard Snails safe with shrimp?
Yes. They are peaceful and generally make excellent companions for freshwater shrimp.
Do they need calcium?
Yes. Adequate calcium and mineral content are important for maintaining strong, healthy shells.
Will Wizard Snails reproduce rapidly?
Usually not. Their reproduction is considerably slower than many common aquarium snails.
Are Wizard Snails sensitive to copper?
Yes. Copper-containing medications and treatments can be dangerous to snails and other aquarium invertebrates.
Available at Tropical Treasures Wyo
Wizard Snails are available at Tropical Treasures Wyo in Cheyenne, Wyoming, when in stock.
Live livestock is available for in-store purchase or local pickup only and is not available for shipping.
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