Malaysian Trumpet Snail
Melanoides tuberculata
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A small, cone-shaped snail that burrows through the substrate, stirring it and eating waste. It is useful and nearly unkillable, but one snail can start a colony because females can reproduce alone. Many keepers welcome them, but you should decide before adding plants that may carry them.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 5 US gal
- Temperature
- 70–80 °F
- pH
- 7–7.5
- Hardness
- No figure published
- Swim zone
- Bottom
- Min group
- Can live alone
- Lifespan
- About 2 years
Malaysian Trumpet Snail tank mates
Paracheirodon innesi
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Trigonostigma espei
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Their pH ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Boraras brigittae
Their pH ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Tanichthys albonubes
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Betta splendens
It burrows by day and comes out at night, which helps it avoid a betta, but some bettas still eat these small snails.
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Pea puffers hunt snails and shrimp as natural food, so Malaysian Trumpet Snail is at risk.
Melanotaenia boesemani
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Common tank-mate questions
Malaysian Trumpet Snail feeding and care
How to feed
- Let them eat leftovers, algae and waste in the substrate.
- Do not feed them directly in most tanks, because they find plenty on their own.
- Add small amounts of blanched vegetables if the colony looks hungry.
Malaysian Trumpet Snail care mistakes to avoid
- Expect large numbers, because females can reproduce without a male.
- Control numbers by feeding less, since the population follows the food supply.
- Check new plants, which often carry baby snails into your tank.
- Avoid puffers if you value your snails, and assassin snails too.
Malaysian Trumpet Snail tank setup
The essentials for a small, gently filtered tank.
TankAt least 5 US gal (19 L)
The smallest tank our sources give for Malaysian Trumpet Snail. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts).
Picks for Spain are still being checked. The options below are for the US, and we have not confirmed that they are sold in Spain.
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium 10 Gallon US
Tetra Complete LED Aquarium Kit 10 Gallon US
Why we chose these (Best 10-Gallon Fish Tank: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Malaysian Trumpet Snail, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Malaysian Trumpet Snail's temperature range.
Tetra Crescent Kit 5 US
No heater included
Tetra Complete LED Aquarium Kit 10 Gallon US
No heater included
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 30 L Spain
No heater included
Why we chose these (Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
FilterAir-driven sponge filter
Gentle flow that small fish and long fins can handle, plus a safe home for good bacteria.
Aquarium Co-Op Coarse Sponge Filter (Small) US
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter US
Tetra Brillant Filter Spain
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 10-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 70–80 °F (21–27 °C)
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 25 W at 5 gallons, 50 W at 10. Keeps a small tank stable. Adjustable models let you set the temperature your species needs. Size up for a cold room.
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater US
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 50 W US
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater Spain
Eheim Thermocontrol e 50 Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 10-Gallon Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
SubstrateNeeds a soft sandy substrate because it burrows and stays buried; larger grains could scratch it.
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorLive plants offer shelter and food.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsSafe with live plants
Browse all aquarium plants.
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Where to buy Malaysian Trumpet Snail
We have not found a store that sells Malaysian Trumpet Snail under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Not allowed without a permit in: Arkansas, Idaho, North Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and Wisconsin (see the local rules below)
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Check your local rules on Malaysian Trumpet Snail
Official lists name this animal or its close relatives. Rules differ by place, so check the rules where you live before you buy or keep one.
Spain
Spain's catalogue of invasive alien species lists this snail by name, as Melanoides tuberculatus. The listing covers all of Spain, and it brings a general ban on keeping, transporting and selling live animals.
Source: Real Decreto 630/2013, consolidated text (BOE); Real Decreto 630/2013, consolidated text (BOE), article 7
Arkansas
Arkansas lists this snail, as red-rim melania (Melanoides tuberculata), as a prohibited aquatic species. Bringing in, selling, moving or keeping a live one is unlawful.
Source: Addendum J1.04, Prohibited Exotic Aquatic Species List (Arkansas Game and Fish Commission); Code 26.13, Certain Exotic Aquatic Species Prohibited (Arkansas Game and Fish Commission)
Idaho
Idaho's invasive species rules list red-rim melania (Melanoides tuberculata). Nobody may keep, bring in or move a listed invasive species in Idaho without a permit.
Source: IDAPA 02.06.09, Rules Governing Invasive Species and Noxious Weeds; IDAPA 02.06.09, Rules Governing Invasive Species and Noxious Weeds
North Carolina
North Carolina's rule on possessing certain fishes names this snail as red-rim melania, and the state's wildlife commission says keeping anything on that list is unlawful. The official copy of the rule is not served over a secure connection, so we link the commission's page.
Source: Nongame possession and collection (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission)
South Dakota
South Dakota lists red rimmed melania (Melanoides tuberculata) as an aquatic invasive species, and state law bans keeping, bringing in or moving one. None of the listed exemptions is for home aquariums.
Source: ARSD 41:10:04:01, List of aquatic invasive species; SDCL 41-13A-2, Aquatic invasive species prohibitions
Utah
Utah's aquatic species table classifies red-rimmed melania (Melanoides tuberculata) as a prohibited species.
Source: Rule R657-3c, aquatic species classification (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
Wisconsin
Wisconsin's invasive species rule puts the Malaysian trumpet snail in its prohibited category.
Source: Wisconsin Administrative Code, NR 40.04; Wisconsin Administrative Code, NR 40.04
Never release aquarium animals or plants into the wild, including into ponds, rivers or drains.
This is general information, not legal advice. We last checked these lists on 4 November 2026, and the US state lists on 8 November 2026. Our US state aquarium rules table shows every state, including the ones whose lists we could not read. We did not check Spanish regional rules, and other countries have their own.
Malaysian Trumpet Snail FAQ
What size tank do Malaysian Trumpet Snails need?
Our sourced minimum is 5 US gallons (19 liters). A bigger, mature tank is always easier to keep stable.
What can live with Malaysian Trumpet Snails?
Good matches on our list include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra and Black Neon Tetra. Avoid German Blue Ram and Pea Puffer.
How long do Malaysian Trumpet Snails live?
Care guides report about 2 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Are Malaysian trumpet snails pests?
It depends on your goal. They help aerate sand and clean up waste, but they reproduce quickly and are hard to remove once established.
Malaysian Trumpet Snail facts and sources
- Type
- Snail
- Native to
- Africa and Southern Asia
- Adult size
- 1 in (2.5 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Breeds in freshwater
- Yes
Sources
- Fishkeeping World: Care and water figures
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction.