Ramshorn Snails
Common Name: Ramshorn Snail
Scientific Name: Planorbella duryi
Genus: Planorbella
Wild Origin: North America & Europe (depending on species)
Adult Size: Up to 1 in (2.5 cm)
Note: All livestock orders will come carefully packaged with solid wall Styrofoam insulation and shipped via 1-day shipping only. No extra insulation needs to be added to your cart for your livestock.
Quantity: Each order includes 10 Ramshorn Snails. Shell color and size may vary slightly, as each snail is a unique live animal.
Ramshorn Snails are one of the most popular cleanup crew additions for planted aquariums. Their distinctive flat, spiral-shaped shells come in a variety of colors including brown, red, blue and pink. They spend their time grazing on soft algae, biofilm, uneaten fish food and decaying plant matter, helping keep the aquarium clean while contributing to a balanced ecosystem.
Ramshorn Snails are peaceful and completely safe to keep with aquatic plants. While they may occasionally feed on dying or melting leaves, they do not consume healthy plant tissue. Their population naturally adjusts based on the amount of available food, making them a helpful indicator of excess nutrients or overfeeding within the aquarium.
When choosing tank mates for your snails, avoid species known to prey on them. These include Loaches, Crayfish, Large Cichlids, Goldfish, Pufferfish and other snail-eating fish. We prefer keeping our Ramshorn Snails alongside Amano Shrimp, Neocaridina Shrimp, Caridina Shrimp, Otocinclus, Siamese Algae Eaters, Tetras, Corydoras, Bettas and other peaceful community fish.
Key Features & Important Notes
- Excellent algae, biofilm and detritus grazer.
- Peaceful and planted tank safe.
- Tank-raised specimen.
- To increase survival rates, please allow 2-3 business days after placing an order to properly prepare live animal shipments.
Recommended Water Parameters
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. We encourage you to do thorough research before committing to keeping any livestock.
- Temperature Range: 68-82°F
- pH: 7.0-8.2
- GH: 6-18
- KH: 3-15
Recommended Tank Size
5 gallons or larger. Ramshorn Snails are well suited for nano aquariums and larger planted tanks alike. As with all livestock, maintaining stable water quality and avoiding overfeeding will help keep populations healthy and balanced.
Diet
Omnivorous. Primarily feeds on soft algae, biofilm, uneaten fish food, decaying plant matter and detritus. They will also readily accept algae wafers, blanched vegetables and other sinking foods when natural food sources are limited.
Breeding
Ramshorn Snails are hermaphrodites, meaning each individual possesses both male and female reproductive organs. While two snails are generally required for reproduction, any two mature individuals are capable of breeding.
Eggs are laid in clear gelatinous clusters attached to aquarium glass, plants, driftwood and other hard surfaces. Depending on water temperature, the eggs typically hatch within 1-3 weeks. Young snails grow quickly and begin grazing immediately after hatching. Their population is largely determined by the amount of available food, so practicing moderate feeding is the best way to naturally manage their numbers.