Ramshorn Snail
Planorbella duryi
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A small, spiral-shelled snail in reds, pinks and blues that cleans up leftovers and dead plant matter. It is entirely peaceful, safe with shrimp, and very easy to keep. Numbers rise with the food supply, so feed lightly and it stays a helper rather than a pest.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 5 US gal
- Temperature
- 72–82 °F
- pH
- 6.5–8
- Hardness
- No figure published
- Swim zone
- Bottom
- Min group
- Can live alone
- Lifespan
- About 1 year
Ramshorn Snail tank mates
Paracheirodon innesi
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Tanichthys albonubes
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Betta splendens
A small snail that some bettas will eat, along with its babies. Expect some losses.
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Melanotaenia boesemani
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Pea puffers hunt snails and shrimp as natural food, so Ramshorn Snail is at risk.
Common tank-mate questions
Ramshorn Snail feeding and care
How to feed
- Let them clean up dead plant matter, algae and leftovers.
- Add a calcium supplement such as cuttlebone in soft water.
- Feed only lightly in community tanks, because they find plenty on their own.
Ramshorn Snail care mistakes to avoid
- Feed lightly, because snail numbers grow with the amount of food.
- Add calcium if your water is soft, or shells may thin and erode.
- Expect eggs on glass and plants, since they breed readily.
- Keep puffers and large cichlids away, as these will eat them.
Ramshorn 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 Ramshorn 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 Ramshorn Snail, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Ramshorn 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 72–82 °F (22–28 °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.
Hiding places and decorNeeds no special hiding places; leaf litter gives a hiding place and live plants are enjoyed.
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 Ramshorn Snail
We have not found a store that sells Ramshorn 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).
The rules are unclear in: Utah (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 Ramshorn 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.
Utah
Utah's aquatic species table lists every snail in the genus Planorbella as a controlled species. Utah needs a certificate of registration for educational, scientific or commercial use of a controlled species, and the rule we read does not say whether a home aquarium needs one.
Source: Rule R657-3c, aquatic species classification (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources); Rule R657-3c, aquatic species classification (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
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.
Ramshorn Snail FAQ
What size tank do Ramshorn 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 Ramshorn Snails?
Good matches on our list include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra and Ember Tetra. Avoid Pea Puffer and Assassin Snail.
How long do Ramshorn Snails live?
Care guides report about 1 year. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Do ramshorn snails eat live plants?
Generally no. They prefer dead and dying leaves. If they seem to attack plants, that usually means the plant was already failing.
Ramshorn Snail facts and sources
- Type
- Snail
- Native to
- North America
- Adult size
- 1 in (2.5 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Breeds in freshwater
- Yes
Sources
- The Shrimp Farm: Care and water figures
- Aquarium Source: Supporting figures
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