The rabbit snail is a peculiar looking freshwater snail. Also known as the elephant snail, these aquarium snails are peaceful and spend most of their time exploring their surroundings. Rabbit snails are easy to care for and help to keep your aquarium clean.
Table of Contents
Rabbit Snail Images
Size
The average size of a rabbit snail depends on the age of the snail. Older rabbit snails have longer shells and bodies. However, most snails in stores are about 2 inches long in length. Fully grown, rabbit snails can grow between 3-5 inches.
Lifespan
The average rabbit snail lifespan is about 1 to 3 years. Of course, under healthy aquarium conditions and with proper feeding, they can live a bit longer.
Diet
Rabbit snails are scavengers and will eat soft algae and decaying plant matter. But, rabbit snails do best when their diet includes supplements.
Food supplements rich in calcium are important when feeding a rabbit snail. Calcium promotes shell growth and health. Bottom feeder pellets, algae wafers, and fish flakes are also ok to feed snails. Blanched vegetables, particularly green leafy ones like lettuce are also good for a rabbit snail’s diet.
Varieties
These are the different types of rabbit snails:
- Yellow Poso Rabbit Snails
- Chocolate Poso Rabbit Snails
- Golden Spotted Rabbit Snails
- Yellow Spotted Rabbit Snails
- White Spotted Rabbit Snails
- Black Rabbit Snails
- Orange Rabbit Snails
- Gold Rabbit Snails.
Reproduction
Rabbit snails reproduce by laying eggs. They are not asexual so fertilization occurs between a male and a female. The female rabbit snail carries her eggs and releases a batch every 4 to 6 weeks. Inside the gelatinous egg sac will be a fully developed baby rabbit snail.
With regard to breeding, unlike other freshwater snails, rabbit snails do not reproduce quickly. So, there’s no need to worry about these snails overrunning your fish tank.
Growth Rate
As mentioned, rabbit snails grow to about 3-5 inches in length. The growth rate of a rabbit snail will depend on things like health, diet, tank conditions. It typically takes a year for the snail to reach its largest size.
Tank Mates
The ramshorn snail is peaceful, so it is best to keep them with other peaceful aquarium pets. When threatened, ramshorn snails retreat to their shells for protection. Here are some good tanks mates for ramshorn snails:
Freshwater aquarium fish like:
Other Snails:
- Nerite Snails
- Gold Inca Snails
- Ivory Snails
- Mystery Snails
- Trumpet Snails
Some species of aquarium shrimp:
Tank Size
The minimum recommended tank size for a rabbit snail 30 gallons and up. At 30 gallons, it is sufficient in size and water volume to maintain the life cycle of the snail.
Water Conditions
- Water Temperature: 76 – 84 Degrees Fahrenheit
- Aquarium pH: 7.2 – 7.5
- Lighting: Normal lighting to semi-dim lighting
Things To Consider
How To Buy Healthy Ramshorn Snails
When you go to the store to buy rabbit snails, check that the snail is active, moving, or stuck to hard surfaces. Rabbit snails that are floating, motionless, upside-down may be dead or near-death.
Their shells should not have cracks, erosion, or other signs of wear and tear. A damaged shell indicates poor health. Also, check to make sure that they do not have damaged tentacles, eyes, etc. before buying.
Live Plants
Once well-fed, rabbit snails won’t eat live aquarium plants. But, there are instances where they may eat Java Ferns. Other than that, it is safe to keep other aquarium plants in the same tank as rabbit snails.
References
- Rabbit Snails And Live Plants | My Aquarium Club – https://www.myaquariumclub.com/rabbit-snails-and-live-plants-333391.html
- Rabbit Snails and Java Fern? : AquaticSnails – Reddit – https://www.reddit.com/r/AquaticSnails/comments/dgqxui/rabbit_snails_and_java_fern/
- Growing and Breeding – Rabbit Snails – https://www.rabbitsnails.com/rabbitsnails-gro.html
Frequently Asked Questions
Rabbit snails can start breeding when they reach about 1.5 inches in size. The female carries a fertilized egg within her and releases it after 4 to 6 weeks. Female rabbit snails release fully-formed snail babies within a small, gelatinous “egg” sac.
Rabbit snails do burrow. Rabbit snails are more likely to burrow if there is a sandy substrate on the tank bottom.
Assassin snails generally do not attack mature mystery snails, Japanese trapdoor snails, nerite snails, rabbit snails, gold inca snails, and Ivory Snails. This is because these snails are usually bigger than assassin snails. But, it is still a good idea to check the tank to ensure that all your pets are safe.
