Melanoides Tuberculata feeds in a way similar to most snails in this family using a radula, which is a rasping, protrusible, tongue like organ found in most molluscs (Hickman, 2012). It is a small finger like membrane on which there is small rows of tiny teeth made out of chitin, that are backward facing (Hickman, 2012). The radula is controlled by two muscles the Protractor and retractor, which move it in and out of the snails mouth (Hickman, 2012). It may contain few teeth or it can contain up to 250,000 small teeth (Hickman, 2012). It uses the radula to scrap, tear food in a continuous motion towards the digestive track (Hickman, 2012). The Melanoides Tuberculata is mainly a benthic snail staying under the gravel during the day, but coming out at night to feed. Its main food is small algae (Benson, 2013).
