Malaysian trumpet snail

Behaviour and habits

The Malaysian trumpet snail is a small, cone-shelled snail that burrows through the substrate, keeping it turned over and preventing the compacted, gas-trapping conditions that can build up in sand. It emerges at night to graze the surfaces and scavenge, and it is completely peaceful and harmless to fish and plants. It does, however, breed prolifically, so its population tracks how much food is available, and it can become very numerous in a well-fed tank.

What to feed, and how often

It grazes algae, detritus and leftover food and needs no direct feeding. The best way to control its numbers is to feed the tank less; in a heavily fed tank it will multiply quickly and be hard to reduce.

Water changes and maintenance

Change about 25% weekly. It is undemanding, but reasonably hard water keeps its shell healthy, and it dislikes very soft, acidic conditions.

Care and how easy it is

Easy and useful as a substrate-turner; keep feeding in check to avoid an explosion in numbers.

Common health problems

Shell erosion in soft, acidic water; otherwise very hardy.

If it gets sick

Keep the water from going too soft or acidic, and never use copper-based treatments.