Quilted melania, lat. Tarebia granifera- Tarebia granifera distribution
Family: Thiaridae;
Genus: Tarebia;
Species and synonyms: Quilted melania (Tarebia granifera, Melania granifera, Melanoides granifera, Quilted Melania, Spike-tail Trumpet Snail).
GBIF:
Quilted melania (lat. Tarebia granifera) is a species of freshwater gastropod mollusk from the order Architaenioglossa, family Thiaridae. Widely known in aquaristics as a useful substrate inhabitant.
Distribution. The natural range of Tarebia granifera covers freshwater bodies of Southeast Asia: Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, as well as the eastern coast of India and Sri Lanka. Due to accidental and intentional introduction, the species has spread to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including the USA (Florida, Texas), countries of South America, Africa and the Caribbean basin. It inhabits standing and slow-flowing waters with sandy or muddy bottoms.
Care requirements. Tarebia granifera is one of the most undemanding aquarium snails. An aquarium of any volume is sufficient for keeping. Optimal water temperature: 20–28°C, hardness: 5–25 dGH, pH: 6.5–8.5. Snails prefer sandy substrate, into which they burrow, helping to aerate the substrate and prevent acidification. Omnivorous: they feed on leftover food, detritus, softened plant parts and algae. Useful for the aquarium as they eat organic waste and help control filamentous algae. However, with abundant feeding, the population can grow rapidly. Adults reach shell lengths up to 3–4 cm, lifespan is about 2–3 years.
Tarebia granifera is a livebearing snail species. They reproduce parthenogenetically (females produce offspring without fertilization). The young develop inside the maternal organism and are born fully formed, measuring 2–3 mm. At one time, the female produces from 5 to 30 snails. The young are immediately capable of feeding on microorganisms and organic particles. The population is regulated by the food supply: the more food, the more juveniles survive.
The shell of Tarebia granifera has a characteristic conical shape with a pronounced granular sculpture (hence the species name "granifera" — granular). Coloration varies from light brown to dark brown with characteristic dark zigzag stripes. The snail leads a predominantly nocturnal lifestyle, burrowing into the substrate during the day. It tolerates oxygen deficiency and various pollutants well, making it a hardy aquarium inhabitant.
In some regions, Tarebia granifera is an invasive species, capable of displacing local populations of snails and mollusks, as well as serving as an intermediate host for parasitic worms, which poses a potential threat to local fauna and humans. However, in an aquarium with proper maintenance, it does not pose a threat and is a useful scavenger.