Captive bred invertebrates from a breeder in the Netherlands.
€12,50 : 5x snails
€20,00 : 10 snails
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Oxychilus alliarius, snail information > care > photos > video
Origin: Western and Central Europe.
Scientific name: Oxychilus alliarius
Basionym: Helix alliaria
Synonyms (unaccepted): Helix alliacea, Helix alliaria, Helix foetida, Helix nitens, Helix remota, Helix steenstrupii, Hyalinia alliaria, Oxychilus allarius, Oxychilus allarium, Oxychilus tasmanicus, Vitrea alliaria, Zonites alliaria, Zonites alliarius, Zonites alliarius var. ornatus, Zonites arabiae, Zonitoides alliaria.
Family: Oxychilidae.
Common names: Garlic Snail, Garlic glass-snail.
Description
Looking for a truly unique addition to your bioactive cleanup crew? Meet Oxychilus alliarius, commonly known as the Garlic Snail, a fascinating micro-species that maxes out at just 5 to 8 mm and gets its name from the faint, distinct garlic odor it emits when disturbed! What makes these snails incredibly popular in the terrarium hobby is not just their beautiful, semi-transparent glossy shell and strikingly dark blue body, but their voracious appetite for terrarium maintenance; as active omnivores, they are phenomenal at breaking down detritus and fungi, while also acting as a natural pest control by actively hunting down unwanted hitchhiker snails and their eggs. Because they thrive comfortably at standard room temperatures (18–24°C), they are remarkably hardy and easy to keep, though their tiny size requires a very secure, gap-free enclosure to prevent escapes. Please note that while they are the ultimate janitors for your soil, they should never be housed with prized micro-snails you are trying to breed, and if food runs scarce, they may occasionally nibble on delicate plants like ferns. Whether you are battling a pest snail outbreak or simply want a quirky, highly efficient, and beautifully blue detritivore for your nano-terrarium, a starter culture of Garlic Snails is the perfect, low-maintenance solution!
Oxychilus alliarius, snail care
Size: adults may reach a length of 5 to 8 mm.
Activity: anytime; mostly night active.
Substrate: organic potting soil, or for best results check out our premium substrate. It should be kept damp at all times.
Temperature / Humidity: As a European snail species Oxychilus alliarius does not need additional heating during winter. Temps can range from 10°C min. to 28°C max with optimal being 18°C to 24°C. Create a humidity / temperature gradient by placing sphagnum moss at the side of the container with much less openings. Provide leaf litter or tree bark or cork bark for shelter. Ensure the enclosure is highly secure and gap-free to prevent escapes.
Diet: They are omnivorous and partially predatory. They feed on detritus, decaying leaves, dead invertebrates and fungi, and will actively hunt small pest snails and their eggs. Fruits and vegetables may also be offered, but in tiny portions. Food should not be offered in excess because mold will develop faster than what the snails can consume / control. Be sure to check out our Protein mix foods. Also a calcium source (cuttlefish bone, limestone & oyster seashell, limestone rock) is an absolute must to keep them healthy and support strong shell growth.
Difficulty: easy.
Reproduction rate: prolific
Growth rate: normal.
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