Orange River Snail – The Rare, Glowing Pearl of Papua 🌊🐌

Scientific Name: Viviparus sp. “Orange River”
Category: Freshwater Snail

🧡 A Newcomer with a Neon Glow

Fresh from the clear, biodiverse waters of West Papua, the Orange River Snail (Viviparus sp.) is a brand-new discovery as of 2024, and it's already turning heads in the aquascaping world. This newly described species stuns with its subtle orange-hued shell, smooth, whorled shape, and—best of all—livebearing behavior. That’s right: no eggs, no trails of jelly, just the occasional surprise baby snail appearing fully formed, like a little aquatic miracle. ✨

Unlike pest snails that overrun tanks, the Orange River Snail reproduces slowly and deliberately, making it ideal for display tanks where beauty and balance go hand in hand. It’s perfect for shrimp keepers and plant lovers who want something rare, peaceful, and gracefully functional.

🔍 What to Expect:

• Shell: Smooth, spiral, with soft orange tones

• Size: Typically 1–1.25 inches

• Behavior: Calm, algae-grazing, substrate-cleaning

• Lifespan: 1.5–3 years with good care

• Reproduction: Livebearing (1–2 babies at a time)

💧 Care & Conditions:

• Temp: 72–80°F (22–27°C)

• pH: 7.0–8.2

• Hardness: Moderate to hard water preferred for shell health

• Substrate: Sand or fine gravel

• Diet: Algae, biofilm, shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables

• Tank Size: 5+ gallons

✅ Why You’ll Love It:

• Rare and newly discovered—stand out from the crowd

• Peaceful and compatible with shrimp and small fish

• Won’t overpopulate your tank

• Adds movement, algae control, and natural beauty

• Livebearing = no unsightly egg clusters

🎁 Bonus Tip:

Want your Orange River Snail to truly thrive? Add botanicals like almond leaves or cholla wood to encourage natural biofilm growth for grazing—and provide cozy hiding spots for any surprise snail babies. 🐌🌿