Littorina scutulata - Checkered Periwinkle

Littorina scutulata - Checkered Periwinkle

Snails of this family have a robust shell without an umbilicus and without a siphonal canal. The horny operculum used to close the shell opening is thin. Periwinkles are found worldwide in cold, temperate, and warm waters near shores, in saltwater and brackish water.

Periwinkles are herbivorous.

Littorina scutulata moves up and down with the tides and crawls out of tide pools at night. Often, these snails hide in crevices or in barnacle shells during low tide.

Littorina scutulata mainly feeds on diatom films, microscopic algae, lichens, but also on Pelvetia, Ulva, and other macroalgae.

These periwinkles spawn at all seasons except for summer. The eggs are laid underwater and individually packed in flattened capsules within a sausage-shaped gelatinous mass, which is spirally wound and contains over 2000 eggs.

Latin Name:

• Littorina scutulata

German Name:

• Karierte Strandschnecke

Adult Size:

• up to 2cm

Aquarium Size:

• from 50 liters

Temperature:

• 20°C - 27°C

Food:

• Algae

Difficulty:

• easy

Compatibility:

• peaceful and pure plant eaters