You will receive two ramshorn snails. Size dependent, above picture is not representative.
The majority of Ramshorn Snail species are quite small, at around ½ to 1 inch being normal for mature specimens.
Even the largest of the family, the Giant or Great Ramshorn Snail (Planorbarius corneus), grows only to 1 ½ inches in diameter. Apple and Mystery Snails are better choices if you’re looking for a large snail.
Ramshorn Snails are beautiful and interesting in their own right, and come in several colors, including brown, red, spotted, and a delicate sky blue. Red Ramshorn are particularly interesting because you’re actually seeing a pigment-less variety.
Like humans, Ramshorn Snails have red, hemoglobin-enriched blood, which shows through the skin and shell in the Red variety!
Ramshorn Snails are air breathing Snails and use a specialized lung-like organ to hold air underneath their shells. In younger snails, you can easily see the air bubble through their thinner shells.
They are incredibly easy to feed; the majority of people who own them simply feed them nothing and allow them to scrounge along for detritus.
However, they happily accept nearly anything organic and thrive in a wide range of water conditions!
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Scientific Name: Planorbidae family
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Home Range: Worldwide
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Size: Up to 1 inch in diameter
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pH: 7-8
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Temperature: 65-80F
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Difficulty: Very Easy
As detritivores, Ramshorn Snails eat things that most tank inhabitants avoid. Dead and decaying organic matter as well as detritus is what they crave.
Dead plant leaves, fish waste, fallen flakes and pellets, and soft algae will all be sniffed out and consumed.
If you happen to find a fish corpse in the morning, there’s a good chance your Ramshorn Snails have already beaten you to it. In short, they are an excellent clean up crew. And the more you have, the faster they lock up organic debris into their bodies.
Ramshorn Snails generally leave live plants alone in favour of dead leaves and rotting tips. Soft plants like Elodea may be tempting but they are quite plant safe.
They are also interesting in their own right. There are relatively few invertebrate choices for freshwater hobbyists compared to saltwater aquarists. Snails can add a bit of extra interest for a fish-only ecosystem.
With a worldwide distribution, it’s no surprise that Ramshorn Snails tolerate a wide range of water conditions. They will thrive in ponds, room temperature bowls and tanks, and tropical conditions alike. Temperatures can range from 65-80F, with tolerance both higher and lower than this ideal range.
They do have a preference for neutral to alkaline water, as acidic conditions leach away at their shells. Water hardness ideally is elevated as well. Ammonia and nitrites should be kept in control as with other freshwater organisms. However, Ramshorn Snails are quite hardy and readily breed even in poorly maintained aquariums.
The only major water quality concerns you’ll have are noxious agents particularly toxic to invertebrates, like copper. Since there are few studies on what the effects of each individual fish medication have on each species of invertebrate, you are better off treating sick fish in a quarantine tank if you want to keep your Snails alive.
Good Tank Mates for Ramshorn Snails:
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Tetras
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Gourami
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Livebearers
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Danios
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Rasboras
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Small Shrimp
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