Ramshorn snail (Planorbella duryi) care

A peaceful, coiled-shell algae-grazer that breeds readily — useful, but it can multiply if overfed.

Temperature18–28 °C
pH6.5–8
Minimum tank20 L
DifficultyBeginner

Food	Algae + veg
Feeding	Rarely needs feeding
Water change	25% weekly

Behaviour and habits

The ramshorn snail is a peaceful, coiled-shell grazer that roams the tank continuously, eating algae, biofilm and leftover food. It is completely harmless to fish and plants, and it breeds readily, so its population reflects how much food is available — a sudden explosion of snails is really a sign that the tank is being overfed. It is a useful cleaner and an interesting animal to watch as it glides over leaves and glass.

What to feed, and how often

It grazes constantly on algae and detritus and needs little extra food. In a clean tank, offer a blanched vegetable or a sinking snail food now and then, and remove anything uneaten so it does not foul the water. The best way to control its numbers is simply to feed the tank less.

Water changes and maintenance

Change about 25% weekly. It is undemanding, but reasonably hard water keeps its shell healthy and strong; very soft, acidic water gradually erodes the shell over time.

Care and how easy it is

Easy and useful as a cleaner; keep feeding in check to avoid a population boom, and keep the water from going too soft or acidic.

Common health problems

Shell erosion in soft, acidic water is the main issue.

If it gets sick

Keep the water from becoming too soft or acidic, provide some calcium, and never use copper-based treatments.

Good tank mates

Intermediate; stable group aquarium

Neon tetraParacheirodon innesi

21-25 C
pH 6.0-7.5
60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base

Tetras & rasboras | Peaceful shoaler | Omnivore

Advanced

Ram cichlidMikrogeophagus ramirezi

25–29°C
pH 5–7
70 L+

Cichlids · Peaceful · Omnivore

Beginner

Bristlenose plecoAncistrus cirrhosus

23–27°C
pH 6–7.5
80 L+

Catfish · Peaceful · Herbivore

Intermediate

OtocinclusOtocinclus vittatus

22–27°C
pH 6–7.5
50 L+

Catfish · Peaceful · Herbivore

Best avoided with

Similar species

Beginner with a prepared single-fish tank

BettaBetta splendens

24-26 C
pH 6.5-7.5
40 L+; 45 x 30 cm base

Bettas & gouramis | Territorial | Carnivore

Intermediate; stable group aquarium

Neon tetraParacheirodon innesi

21-25 C
pH 6.0-7.5
60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base

Tetras & rasboras | Peaceful shoaler | Omnivore

Advanced

Ram cichlidMikrogeophagus ramirezi

25–29°C
pH 5–7
70 L+

Cichlids · Peaceful · Omnivore

Beginner

Bristlenose plecoAncistrus cirrhosus

23–27°C
pH 6–7.5
80 L+

Catfish · Peaceful · Herbivore

Compare at a glance

Parameters	Ramshorn snail	Betta	Neon tetra	Ram cichlid
Parameters
Temp	18–28 °C	24–28 °C	20–26 °C	25–29 °C
pH	6.5–8	6–7.5	5.5–7.5	5–7
GH	4–20 °dGH	2–12 °dGH	2–12 °dGH	1–10 °dGH
Min. tank	20 L	20 L	50 L	70 L
Size	3 cm	6 cm	3 cm	6 cm
Diet	Omnivore	Carnivore	Omnivore	Omnivore
Temperament	Peaceful	Semi-aggressive	Peaceful	Peaceful
Difficulty	Beginner	Beginner	Intermediate	Advanced

Care guides

GuideThe Best Beginner Aquarium PlantsLive plants are not hard — some are almost unkillable. These easy, low-light species use up waste, look natural and give fish cover, with no special equipment.GuideHow Often Should You Change Aquarium Water?Water changes remove waste that the filter cannot, and keep minerals topped up. There is no single number, but there is a simple way to find yours.GuideHow to Lower Nitrate in an AquariumNitrate is the quiet end of the nitrogen cycle. It is far less toxic than ammonia, but it builds up and is the usual reason algae wins. Here is how to bring it down.GuideFishless Cycling: The Kindest Way to Start a TankFishless cycling builds the filter's bacteria before any fish goes in, so your first fish never lives through toxic water. Here is how to do it.

New to the words? See the aquarium glossary.

Sources and research notes

Parameters are typical ranges for the species in home aquariums and vary with the individual fish and the water you use.