Chestnut Cowrie
Neobernya spadicea
A calm, shell-collecting herbivore that brings Indo-Pacific flair to the freshwater tank.
About
The chestnut cowrie (Neobernya spadicea) is an Indo-Pacific invertebrate that stands out simply by being a cowrie in a freshwater context. An unusual choice that rewards curious hobbyists willing to meet its specific water chemistry needs. The shell is a warm chestnut brown, smooth and glossy in the way all cowries are, and it carries a certain quiet elegance as it moves around the aquarium. Coming from the Indo-Pacific, this species is accustomed to harder, more alkaline conditions than typical freshwater setups, so getting the water chemistry right is the main hurdle before anything else. Once that is dialed in, the chestnut cowrie is a genuinely peaceful tankmate that causes no trouble with other inhabitants. As a herbivore, it will graze on algae and plant matter, so a tank with some established growth suits it well. The care level is considered beginner-friendly, which is a fair assessment as long as the keeper understands the water parameter requirements upfront and does not try to keep it in the soft, acidic water that suits many common freshwater fish. For anyone looking to add something genuinely different to a hard-water community setup, this cowrie is a solid, low-drama choice.
Similar species
Other invertebrate you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Chestnut Cowrie
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Chestnut Cowrie get?
- The Chestnut Cowrie reaches about 3.5–6" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Chestnut Cowrie need?
- A minimum of 30 gallons is recommended for the Chestnut Cowrie.
- What water parameters does the Chestnut Cowrie need?
- The Chestnut Cowrie does best with a temperature of 72–80°F, a pH of 8–8.4, hardness around 8–12 dGH.
- Is the Chestnut Cowrie aggressive?
- The Chestnut Cowrie is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Chestnut Cowrie eat?
- The Chestnut Cowrie is a herbivore. It needs a plant-based diet such as algae, blanched vegetables, or spirulina-based foods.
- How long does the Chestnut Cowrie live?
- With good care, the Chestnut Cowrie typically lives 2-3 years.