I can say from my experience that keeping freshwater snails in an aquarium is an enjoyable and interesting task. Snails not only add to the beauty of the tank but also help keep the tank naturally clean. They maintain good water quality by eating a variety of algae and food scraps that accumulate in the tank. They are easy to care for and can coexist peacefully with various species of fish. Keeping snails helps maintain the biological balance of the aquarium, which is very important for the health and comfort of the fish
Based on my long experience of keeping snails with fish in my aquarium, I will discuss some of the best snails to keep, so that beginners can easily choose the right ones for their aquarium.
1. Zebra Nerite Snail
zebra-nerite-snail
Zebra nerite snails are very popular for aquarium keeping due to their attractive appearance. Their scientific name is Neritina natalensis. They originally come from African water bodies. It is interesting to observe their behavior as they move around a lot. The zebra nerite snail helps clean algae from tank walls and loose algae in aquariums. Here are some details:
Features
- Size and Color: Zebra nerite snails are about 1 to 1.5 inches long. Their shells are decorated with yellow-black stripes, which look like zebras, hence the name “zebra nerite.”
- Lifespan: Zebra nerite snails usually live for 1 to 2 years. However, they can live up to 3 years if given proper care and a suitable environment.
- Water Type: They generally survive well in freshwater but require saltwater for breeding.
- Behavior: The zebra nerite is extremely peaceful. They do not cause any problems with other fish or snails.
Zebra Nerite Snail Care
- Water and Environment: A water temperature of 72-78°F (22-26°C), a pH of 7.0 to 8.5, and a carbonate hardness of 6-12 dKH are best for zebra nerite snails.
- Food: They mainly feed on algae in the tank, but marketed snail food can be provided if required. In addition, they eat small pieces of vegetables, such as cucumbers or zucchini.
- Shell Pests: They are very sensitive to shell damage, which can be a serious problem for snails. Sufficient calcium is required for shell formation, so the water should have adequate calcium to support this process.
Breeding
If there is a male and female, they lay eggs in freshwater, but hatching requires seawater. Therefore, they do not breed easily in home aquariums. However, if you have a household water softener, the sodium content of your water may affect egg hatching.
Suitability as a Partner
- Suitable Companions: Zebra nerite snails are peaceful, so their suitable companions are peaceful and non-aggressive fish. For example, tetra fish, mollies, guppies, cherry barbs, and danios.
- Unsuitable Companions: Fish or animals that may attack or eat snails should be avoided as companions, such as puffer fish, cichlids, goldfish, crabs, and aggressive snails.
2. Mystery Snail
Mystery-Snails
The mystery snail is a type of freshwater snail, scientifically known as Pomacea bridgesii. They are very popular in aquariums because they help keep the container clean and look attractive. Below are the details of the mystery snail:
Features
- Size and Color: Full-grown mystery snails are typically 2 to 3 inches in size. They are available in various colors, such as yellow, golden, blue, brown, black, and ivory white.
- Lifespan: They usually live for 1 to 2 years. However, they can live up to 3 years if given proper care and a suitable environment.
- Temperament: They are peaceful and can adapt quite well to low-temperature water.
Care of Mystery Snail
- Water and Environment: The mystery snail needs a tank size of at least 5 gallons, a water temperature of 68-84 degrees Fahrenheit (20-29 degrees Celsius), and a water pH of 7.6-8.4 (it prefers slightly alkaline water).
- Diet: Mystery snails prefer to eat algae in tanks, small pieces of vegetables (such as spinach and zucchini), and fish food.
- Health Issues: Lack of calcium can weaken their shells, so they should be fed calcium-rich food regularly.
- Water Clarity: They cannot tolerate strong ammonia or nitrite presence, so regular water testing is essential to determine ammonia or nitrite levels.
Breeding
Mystery snails are sexually dimorphic, meaning there are male and female snails, and both are required for successful reproduction. Mystery snails lay their eggs at the top of the water. The eggs hatch in about 2-4 weeks.
Companion Animals
- Suitable Companions: Mystery snails are peaceful, so they can be kept with other peaceful fish such as guppies, tetras, platys, cherry barbs, and mollies.
- Unsuitable Companions: Fish or animals that may attack or eat mystery snails should be avoided as companions, such as betta fish, angelfish, puffer fish, goldfish, and crabs.
3. Rabbit Snail
Rabbit-Snails
Rabbit snail, scientific name Tylomelania, is an attractive freshwater snail. They are called rabbit snails because they have long, floppy antennae on the front that look like rabbit ears and appear to “hop” like rabbits when moving slowly. They are popular for aquariums because they help keep the tank clean and look very attractive.
Features
- Size: Rabbit snails can be about 3 to 5 inches long, but some species can grow larger.
- Color: Their shells are usually black, brown, or yellow in color. However, some species also have bright orange or white shells.
- Shell Shape: Their shells are long and spiral in shape, which is quite attractive.
- Lifespan: Rabbit snails can live for about 3 to 5 years with proper care.
- Speed: Rabbit snails move a bit faster than other snails, but they are still slow by snail standards.
- Behavior: Rabbit snails are very placid and spend most of their time searching for food at the bottom of the aquarium. They move at a certain speed and advance by jumping, which is different from other snails.
Care of Rabbit Snail
- Water and Environment: They require a tank of at least 10 gallons. A water temperature of 76–84 °F (24–29 °C) and a water pH of 7.0–8.5 are suitable for them. Good filtration and clean water are essential.
Note: Acidic water can be harmful to their shells. - Diet: Rabbit snails usually feed mainly on algae, but they also eat small pieces of vegetables (e.g., spinach, zucchini) and fish food.
- Health Care: If the rabbit snail’s shell is damaged, they should be fed calcium-rich food regularly to keep the shell healthy.
- Water Testing: High ammonia or nitrite levels can harm snails, so regular water testing is essential.
Breeding
Rabbit snails require the presence of both males and females for breeding. They do not lay eggs like other snails; instead, they give live birth. They produce one or two young per litter.
Companion Animals
- Suitable Companions: Rabbit snails are generally peaceful and slow-moving animals, so they can be kept with peaceful fish such as guppies, tetras, platys, and other snails or shrimp.
- Unsuitable Companions: Aggressive or predatory animals such as puffer fish, angelfish, large cichlids, or crayfish can be dangerous for them.
4. Japanese Trapdoor Snail
Japanese-Trapdoor-Snails
The Japanese trapdoor snail, scientific name Viviparus malleattus, is a popular freshwater snail. They are usually kept in large aquariums. They are called “trapdoors” because they have a hard natural covering over the mouth of their shells, which protects them from predators. Japanese trapdoor snails are very popular in aquariums because they feed on aquatic algae, helping to keep the tank clean.
Features
- Size: Full-grown Japanese trapdoor snails grow to about 1.5 to 2 inches.
- Color: Their shells are usually brown, green, or black. The shell is quite strong and consists of several spiral layers.
- Shell Structure: Their shell is hard and has an operculum at the mouth, which helps the snail retract into the shell and stay safe in case of danger.
- Habits: The Japanese trapdoor snail moves slowly and forages for algae on the bottom of the tank. They can survive well in cold water, which is not possible for many other snails.
- Defensive Strategy: When they face danger, they close the operculum inside the shell, which protects them from predators.
- Lifespan: They generally live up to 3 to 5 years with proper care.
Japanese Trapdoor Snail Care
- Water and Environment: The Japanese trapdoor snail needs a tank of at least 10-20 gallons. The ideal water temperature is 68-85°F (20-30°C), and the water pH should be between 7.0 and 8.0. They thrive in clean, oxygen-rich water. Ensure the water is free of harmful ammonia or nitrites.
- Diet: Japanese trapdoor snails generally forage from the bottom of the aquarium. They feed on algae, detritus, and decaying plants. In addition to these foods, they eat vegetables such as spinach, pumpkin, and special snail food.
- Health Treatment: As with rabbit snails, if the Japanese trapdoor snail’s shell is damaged, they should be fed calcium-rich food, and the water should have adequate calcium levels.
- Water Testing: The presence of ammonia, nitrite, or excessively soft water can damage their shells, so regular water testing is necessary to take corrective measures.
Breeding
The Japanese trapdoor snail does not lay eggs but gives birth to live young. For this reason, they are called viviparous. One or two babies are born each time, which helps keep the snail population in check, as they don’t breed quickly.
Companion Animals
- Suitable Mates: Japanese trapdoor snails are very peaceful and slow-moving animals. When choosing tank mates, it’s important to select peaceful and non-aggressive animals, such as guppies, neon tetras, platies, mollies, and Amano shrimp.
- Unsuitable Mates: Unsuitable mates for Japanese trapdoor snails include aggressive or predatory fish and animals that may attack the snails or damage their shells. These animals can be dangerous for the snails. Examples include puffer fish, betta fish, large cichlids, crayfish, turtles, goldfish, and large catfish.
5. Giant Colombian Ramshorn Snail
Giant Colombian Ramshorn snails
The Giant Colombian Ramshorn Snail is commonly found in South American waters. Its scientific name is Marisa cornuarietis. They are freshwater snails that are large in size and attractive in appearance. Although they are commonly referred to as ramshorn snails, they are called “giant” because of their size. While their shell shape is similar to that of the classical ramshorn snail, they have quite different characteristics.
Features
- Size: Giant Colombian ramshorn snails are quite large compared to common ramshorn snails. They can grow up to about 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) in diameter.
- Color: Their shell color is usually brown, yellow, or golden. In some cases, black spots can be seen on the shell.
- Structure of the Shell: The shell is ramshorn-shaped, with a spiral layer in the center. The shell appears very strong and dense.
- Lifespan: Generally, the Giant Colombian Ramshorn Snail can live for about 2 to 3 years, but with proper care and the right environment, they can live a little longer.
- Behavior: The Giant Colombian Ramshorn Snail is generally peaceful and slow-moving. They can coexist with other fish and snails in the aquarium. They are usually more active at night but can occasionally be seen moving during the day.
Care of Giant Colombian Ramshorn Snail
- Water and Environment: The Giant Colombian Ramshorn Snail needs a tank of at least 20 gallons. A water temperature of 70-78°F (21-26°C) and a pH of 7.0-7.5 is ideal for them.
- Diet: The Giant Colombian Ramshorn Snail feeds mainly on algae, dead plants, and aquarium scraps, helping to clean the tank. In addition to these, their diet can include vegetables such as zucchini, spinach, and special snail food. Sometimes they may eat live plants if food is scarce.
- Health Care: They need clean, oxygen-rich water because high ammonia or nitrite levels can damage their shells. To ensure the health of their shells, clean water, and sufficient calcium are important.
Breeding
The Giant Colombian Ramshorn Snail lays eggs, which are usually stuck to water plant leaves or tank walls. The eggs are bright white or light pink and hatch into small snails in about 2-3 weeks. Compared to other ramshorn snail species, their reproduction rate is somewhat slower.
Companion Animals
- Suitable Companions: They are generally peaceful and can coexist well with other peaceful fish and snails, such as guppies, tetras, platys, and other small, peaceful fish.
- Unsuitable Mates: Large or aggressive fish such as puffer fish, cichlids, or loaches can be dangerous for them.
