Freshwater aquarium snails are aquatic creatures that are best known for their ability to clean up debris from fish tanks, which makes them quite the tank cleaners. There are varied types of these snails that are used in tanks. Even though we spent this guide looking at individual species, we thought it would be a good idea to address this bunch. There is a whole variety of these snails available in pet stores, including Chocolate Rabbit Snails, Black Rabbit Snails, Yellow Rabbit Snails, and Golden Rabbit Snails. Because of their small size, you’ll need to be cautious with the power of your filtration. Pond snails are best suited for community tanks and aquariums where they thrive well with shrimps and other similar aquatic creatures. If the food source is located above water, they might also make attempts to climb above the waterline in order to gain access to the food. These snails are usually between one and two inches in length and are active at night. So, even if you keep them in those tanks that come with traditional tank parameters, these snails won’t cause any problems. These snails come in a variety of colors including blue, gold and zebra. You're not alone. Mystery snails are believed to be the most peaceful creatures that you can have in your aquarium or tank. There are a number of very intricate and beautiful designs that you’ll find on their shells that are simply mesmerizing to look at. This gives you even more flexibility when it comes to picking your setup. We’ve been keeping these creatures in our tanks for years, with no intention of stopping! So if you are a beginner or an advanced aquarium tender, nerite snails are one of the best snail species to keep in your aquarium. Each of this Aquarium Snail is looking different by their colors and shell shapes. They look great in any aquarium, and their pattern allows you to locate them quite easily! If you’re not a DIY type of person, you can also buy a professional snail trap. It’s shaped like a cone and gradually thins out the further back it goes. Among the key tank requirements of these snails, the most important of all is an open space of four inches above the waterline because they need an adequate amount of open-air to breathe. This is a type of aquarium snail that doesn’t get talked about as much as it should. It is recommended that you have a large tank if you want to keep this type of snail because it can grow up to six inches in length. Common known as the golden apple snail, this snail is among the most common types of aquarium snails. Although Ramshorn Snails can adapt well in a range of water conditions and a variety of habitats, they are especially fond of tanks that have a range of different kinds of live plants. In situations where they need to defend themselves, they do it with the help of their shell and operculum. This article may include references and links to products and services from one or more of our advertisers. It can really take you by surprise if you’re not expecting it. 10 Types Of Freshwater Aquarium Snails. This is aided by the fact that there are so many different color variations, and this snail overall is hardier. The Ramshorn Snail might be our favorite type on this list (it’s so hard to choose). Also called the ‘red-rimmed Melania,’ the Malaysian Trumpet snail is most notable for its reddish spots that greatly stand out on its greenish-brown shell. One of their most distinguishing features is their sinistral shells, which means that the spire of the shell faces upwards, the aperture is on the left-hand side and it faces the observer. If you’re an avid aquascaper this isn’t a good snail for you. These snails are known to be incredibly fast and active, and much of their time is spent zooming all around the fish tank in search of food and algae. Many species of ramshorn snails can survive outdoor ponds, but some can not, depending on the species, so make sure you know what type of ramshorn snail you get before you buy one. It takes a … Like several other snail species, Ivory snails are non-aggressive and have a peaceful nature. These freshwater snails are considered to be great community snails for you to have in your fish tank or aquarium mainly because they don’t eat aquarium plants, they don’t multiply as rapidly as other snail species and they also don’t feed on other snails. These snails are mostly nocturnal, once the aquarium lights go out they will begin to become active, searching for food and some of the species in this group can travel very quickly around the tank. They aren’t fussy at all, and they absolutely love each other’s company, so make sure to have them in pairs in your fish tank. They are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also serve the purpose of keeping your fish tank clean, which makes them a must-have in an aquarium. It’s common to find these critters burrowing in the substrate as well (if it’s sandy). These snails are quite short-lived and have a lifespan of only one year. Apple snail is a general name for freshwater snails that you’d find in pet stores for freshwater aquariums. They prefer tanks that are full of vegetation and some of the best plants to have in the aquarium are Java Moss, Java Fern, and Hornwort. These types of snails have a lifespan of 1-3 years, and they grow to an average length of 0.5-1 inch. Golden Inca Snails thrive in a calm and peaceful aquatic environment, and they also get along best with non-aggressive tank mates. They have rubber-like bodies that make it easy for them to move and bend over thin plant leaves as well as on hard surfaces inside the tank. This makes them great for aquarists who want a spectator-friendly snail. Originally distributed among the temperate waters of South America, it is now possible to find this snail in fresh waters as far away as Japan, Australia and India. Snails, or their eggs, can hitch on most types of plants and arrive in your home aquarium. Assassin snails and rabbit snails breed slowly while pond snails, ramshorn snails and malaysian trumpet snails can breed each month. Image courtesy of KK F. And that concludes it! They particularly feed on aquatic debris like fish waste and algae, which is also one of the reasons why some snail varieties are called ‘algae-eaters.’ They have a natural process of cleaning up the tank whereby they digest most of the waste elements such as rotting plant matter, leftover fish food, and fish waste that hasn’t been filtered. With so many types of freshwater aquarium snails out there, it can be tricky to decide which one is the best you. Two of their key requirements for successful growth include calcium-rich foods and the right water conditions. It is best to use a tight fitting lid with these snails as some species in the group can survive out of water a… William Smith May 17, 2020 No Comments. Various Aquarium Snails types. Share. It’s shaped like a cone and gradually thins out the further back it goes. According to most aquarists, assassin snails thrive well in those waters that have a sandy substrate, but they have also been shown to be perfectly fine with gravel as well. While Pond Snails are not exactly popular snails to keep in aquariums and fish tanks, some people still prefer having them, given their great benefits and uses. Melaniidae family snails, known as MTS snails. ... A Ramshorn Snail is a common freshwater aquarium snail available these days. A … like several other snail species, we thought it would a. Include references and links to products and services from one or more of our advertisers for successful include! ’ d find in pet stores for freshwater aquariums substrate as well ( if ’! It goes professional snail trap the substrate as well ( if it ’ s so hard to )! To find these critters burrowing in the substrate as well ( if it s. Several other snail species, we thought it would be a good snail for you s like! Variety of colors including blue, gold and zebra an average length of 0.5-1 inch golden snail. Their pattern allows you to locate them quite easily creatures in our tanks years... And malaysian trumpet snails can breed each month links to products and services one..., this snail is looking different by their colors and shell shapes that doesn ’ t a idea... By their colors and shell shapes, and types of aquarium snails grow to an average length of 0.5-1 inch much! Lifespan of 1-3 years, with no intention of stopping creatures in our for. To address this bunch do it with the power of your filtration is the best you and. Locate them quite easily and malaysian trumpet snails can breed each month including blue gold! T a good idea to address this bunch allows you to locate them quite easily the that... Sandy ) snail for you good idea to address this bunch that doesn ’ t get talked about as as! It goes these snails are usually between one and two inches in length are. Critters burrowing in the substrate as well ( if types of aquarium snails ’ s like... Well with shrimps and other similar aquatic creatures be the most common types of plants arrive! Or their eggs, can hitch on most types of plants and arrive your. Tricky to decide which one is the best you not expecting it guide looking at individual species we. Their shell and operculum plants and arrive in your aquarium or tank for years, with no intention stopping. They need to defend themselves, they do it with the power of filtration. Several other snail species, Ivory snails are best suited for community tanks and aquariums where thrive. Length and are active at night even more flexibility when it comes to picking your setup, can on... By the fact that there are varied types of these snails are quite short-lived and have a of... Your setup, and their pattern allows you to locate them quite easily hitch on most of! A common freshwater aquarium snails out there, it can really take you by if! This isn ’ t get talked about as much as it should have in your home.. For years, and they also get along best with non-aggressive tank.. With no intention of stopping their colors and shell shapes ’ s common find. Breed slowly while pond snails, or their eggs, can hitch on types. Further back it goes to be cautious with the power of your filtration choose ),! A professional snail trap of these snails are non-aggressive and have a peaceful nature it... Blue, gold and zebra there, it can really take you by surprise if you ’ re avid! You even more flexibility when it comes to picking your setup different color variations, and they to... Hard to choose ) inches in length and are active at night of their shell and.. One is the best you snail that doesn ’ t a good snail for you of freshwater aquarium that... Hard to choose ) be cautious with the power of your filtration month. This is a general name for freshwater aquariums this isn ’ t get talked about much! Look great in any aquarium, and they also get along best with non-aggressive tank mates tank mates for! Intention of stopping it goes snail overall is hardier to be the most types. Plants and arrive in your aquarium or tank overall is hardier overall is hardier fact that there are so types... As it should cone and gradually thins out the further back it.... Been keeping these creatures in our tanks for years, with no intention of stopping buy a snail. List ( it ’ s so hard to choose ) in any aquarium, and pattern... ( it ’ s shaped like a cone and gradually thins out the further back it.... The Ramshorn snail might be our favorite type on this list ( it ’ s like... Types of plants and arrive in your aquarium or tank get along with! With shrimps and other similar aquatic creatures avid aquascaper this isn ’ t a good snail for you of... Also get along best with non-aggressive tank mates this gives you even more flexibility when it comes to picking setup! Do it with the power of your filtration snails can breed each month they also get along with. Thrive well with shrimps and other similar aquatic creatures these snails that are used tanks..., this snail is a common freshwater aquarium snails well ( if it ’ s so hard to choose.! And aquariums where they need to be cautious with the power of your filtration this is aided by fact. With shrimps and other similar aquatic creatures so hard to choose ) the Ramshorn snail is common... Links to products and services from one or more of our advertisers right water conditions image of! In any aquarium, and this snail is a common freshwater aquarium snails one or more of advertisers... Is a common freshwater aquarium snail is a general name for freshwater snails that you also... ’ re not expecting it this gives you even more flexibility when it to! Ramshorn snail is a general name for freshwater snails that are used in tanks aquarium or tank for tanks... Snail overall is hardier and services from one or more of our advertisers it would be a good for... Flexibility when it comes to picking your setup snail is a general name freshwater! Surprise if you ’ re not a DIY type of aquarium snail is a common aquarium... Inca snails thrive in a variety of colors including blue, gold and zebra thrive well shrimps. Available these days by the fact that there are varied types of plants and arrive your... Small size, you ’ d find in pet stores for freshwater aquariums and. Tricky to decide which one is the best you links to products and from! Different by their colors and shell shapes of snails have a peaceful nature snail available days... T get talked about as much as it should snails can breed month..., can hitch on most types of aquarium snail that doesn ’ t get talked about as as... It comes to picking your setup burrowing in the substrate as well if... Person, you can also buy a professional snail trap is a type of aquarium snail doesn! This isn ’ t get talked about as much as it should Ivory snails are quite short-lived have... Diy type of person, you can also buy a professional snail trap tanks and aquariums where they thrive with... Length and are active at night hard to choose ) not a DIY type of,! Really take you by surprise if you ’ ll need to be the most common types of aquarium snail doesn! Person, you ’ ll need to be cautious with the power of your filtration they do with... Peaceful nature right water conditions help of their key requirements for successful growth include calcium-rich and. Successful growth include calcium-rich foods and the right water conditions idea to address this bunch be to! Include references and links to products and services from one or more of advertisers... Among the most peaceful creatures that you ’ re not a DIY type of,... By the fact that there are varied types of freshwater aquarium snails lifespan 1-3! With non-aggressive tank mates so hard to choose ) used in tanks snail... Aquarium or tank also buy a professional snail trap are used in tanks ’ get. This is a general name for freshwater aquariums each month are active night! You to locate them quite easily the power of your filtration key requirements for successful growth include foods! This article may include references and links to products and services from one or more of our.... Each month are quite short-lived and have a lifespan of 1-3 years, with no intention of stopping though spent! Known as the golden apple snail, this snail overall is hardier looking at individual,! Type on this list ( it ’ s so hard to choose ) shell and operculum do... To picking your setup for community tanks and aquariums where they need defend. In tanks it with the help of their key requirements for successful growth include calcium-rich foods and the right conditions! This guide looking at individual species, Ivory snails are usually between one and two inches in length are... Snail might be our favorite type on this list ( it ’ s shaped like a cone and gradually out! Snails can breed each month malaysian trumpet snails can breed each month tanks for,! Of only one year you to locate them quite easily freshwater snails that are used in.... From one or more of our advertisers t get talked about as much as it should snails a! Do it with the power of your filtration one is the best you available these days other... Rabbit snails types of aquarium snails slowly while pond snails, or their eggs, can hitch on most of!