Ramshorn Snails
Ramshorn snails are native to freshwater habitats worldwide, including Europe, Asia, and the Americas, but are now found globally due to the aquarium trade. They inhabit still or slow moving waters rich in vegetation. They are recognized for their distinctive spiral shells that resemble a ram's horn. These snails are prized for the aquarium clean up crew, consuming algae, leftover fish food, and decaying plant matter. They do not eat healthy plants, so they are safe for the aquascape.
- Scientific name: Planorbella duryi (most common in US aquariums, originating in Florida Everglades)
- Size: 0.5 to 1.5 inch in diameter
- Lifespan: 1 to 3 years
- Water parameters:
- pH range: 7.0 to 8.2, below 7 is detrimental for shell
- Temperature range: 65F to 82F
- Water hardness: 5 to 15 dGH (90-269 ppm), calcium important for shell, 5 to 12 dKH ( 90-215 ppm)
- Stability, consistency more important than chasing any "perfect" numbers
- Diet: Omnivorous scavengers, eating algae, decaying plant matter, leftover fish food, but need calcium rich foods for shell, feeding on algae wafers, blanched vegetables (zucchini, green beans, spinach), snail pellets, cuttlebone for calcium, no interest in aquatic plant leaves, so aquascape is safe
- Breeding: Sexual reproduction, but hermaphroditic allowing self-fertilization or cross-fertilization, laying eggs on aquarium surfaces, quick population booms when conditions are right and need to be controlled
- Temperament: Peaceful, work well in community, ei., with small peaceful fish and shrimp
- Water flow: Coming from slower moving waters, they like gentle yet thorough water flow, well oxygenated but not turbulent
- Filtration: They like clean water with proper balance of nutrients, oxygen, CO2, moderate light, like most aquatic plants, weekly 25% water changes, monitor water conditions regularly