Malaysian trumpet snail care is easy! Malaysian trumpet snail care involves looking out for their shell size, tank size, water parameters, diet, lifespan, and reproduction. A lot less work than you’d think. Actually, Malaysian trumpet snail care is so easy, it is one of the best snails for beginners. Here’s what you need to know!
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Care Level: | Easy |
| Temperament: | Peaceful |
| Color Form: | Brown or grey |
| Lifespan: | 2 years |
| Size: | Up to an inch |
| Diet: | Omnivore |
| Family: | Thiaridae |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 5 gallons |
| Tank Set-Up: | Freshwater with live plants |
| Compatibility: | Peaceful community |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Family: | Thiaridae |
| Genus: | Melanoides |
| Species: | M. tuberculata |
Malaysian Trumpet Snails Picture Gallery
Appearance
Malaysian trumpet snails have elongated shells that resemble an ice cream cone. There are usually 10-15 whorls on their shells. As the snail grows, the shell also grows and so too do the rings on the shell.
These snails have an operculum near the opening of their shell. The operculum serves as a defense mechanism that seals the snail inside the shell if it senses danger.
Malaysian trumpet snails do not have colorful shells, instead, their shells are pale brown or grey. Some species have black shells which help them camouflage in their natural habitat. Others have red spots circling around with the whorls. They have flat heads with a pair of tentacles at the base. At the tip of the tentacles are their eyes.
Behavior
Malaysian trumpet snails are peaceful. They can share a tank with other peaceful fish and invertebrates. Most of the time, they scavenge for algae and other scraps of food.
During the day, these snails burrow themselves into the substrate and come out when there is little light. Given that they burrow, they help to prevent harmful gas build-up in the substrate.
Size
Malaysian Trumpet Snails are smaller species of freshwater aquarium snails that grow to about 1/2″ to 1″ in length. The female Malaysian trump snail is a bit larger than males but other than that it is difficult to tell the gender.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of the Malaysian trumpet snails is about one year. Under the right water conditions and with a healthy diet they can live longer.
Diet
Malaysian trumpet snails have a big appetite. Though they spend most of the day hiding under the substrate, they actually dig through the substrate in search of food as well. Once it gets a bit dark, they move across hard surfaces of the tank in search of algae and other scraps. They will eat uneaten fish food, fish flakes, bottom feeder tablets, pellets, and algae wafers. Malaysian trumpet snails also eat soft algae growing on hard surfaces.
Reproduction
Malaysian Trumpet Snails do not lay eggs but birth live young. They are also able to reproduce asexually. Like some other species of freshwater aquarium snail, they reproduce rather fast.
One behavior you should be particularly aware of is reproduction. They are prolific breeders, so the populations can get out of control. It is for this reason that many aquarists view them as pests.
Tank Mates
The Malaysian Trumpet snail is peaceful, so it is best to keep them with other peaceful aquarium pets. When threatened, trumpet snails retreat to their shells for protection. Here are some good tanks mates for Malaysian Trumpet snails:
Freshwater aquarium fish like:
Other Snails:
- Nerite Snails
- Gold Inca Snails
- Ivory Snails
- Mystery Snails
- Other Trumpet Snails
- Ramshorn Snails
Some species of aquarium shrimp:
To stop Malaysian trumpet snails from overrunning your aquarium, you can limit debris and food or add an assassin snail to help control the population.
Tank Size
Malaysian trumpet snail care is easy so they can live in a small covered tank like five or 10-gallon aquarium. Larger tanks also work well if you plan to keep fish or other aquatic animals.
Water Conditions
As long as the tank conditions are ideal, there is little to do in the way of caring for trumpet snails. They can thrive in a wide range of water parameters but it’s good to keep water conditions in the following range:
- Aquarium pH: 7 – 8
- Hardness: Hard
- Water Temperature: 64.5-86 °F/18-30 °C
- Lighting: Standard lighting
Malaysian Trumpet Snail care is like caring for other snails and shrimp. Always test the tank water often. Ammonia and Nitrite levels must stay at 0 ppm. Control Nitrate levels/organic matter buildup with regular partial water changes.
The aquarium water should be on the hard side so that their shells grow healthily. If you must use plant fertilizers and medications try to avoid certain ingredients like copper, because even in small amounts, copper can be fatal.
Things To Consider
Aquarium Plants
Malaysian Trumpet Snails like tanks with lots of live aquarium plants. Plants shed edible material which the snails eat as part of their diet. Malaysian Trumpet Snails do not eat live plants, only the debris. You can also add decorations to provide extra surfaces for your snails to traverse in the hunt for algae.
Death
Dead Malaysian trumpet snails sink to the tank bottom. If your snail is at the bottom of the aquarium and has not moved in quite some time, it is more than likely dead. Some snails may die while buried in the substrate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Malaysian trumpet snails bad?
Are Malaysian trumpet snails asexual?
How big do Malaysian trumpet snails get?
References
- Malaysian Trumpet Snails – Flip Aquatics – https://flipaquatics.com/products/25-malaysian-trumpet-snails
- Snails and cleanup crew fish do not eat poop – Reddit – https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/comments/40gwtr/psa_snails_and_cleanup_crew_fish_do_not_eat_poop/
- Malaysian Trumpet Snails – https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/malaysian-trumpet-snails.70482/
- Malaysian Trumpet Snail Beginner Care Guide | Basic Care For Trumpet Snails – YouTube Video
- Hybridization and invasiveness in the freshwater snail Melanoides tuberculata: hybrid vigour is more important than increase in genetic variance
- Trumpet Snails: Friend or Foe? A Quick Guide
- Malaysian Trumpet Snail Care and Breeding: The Hard-Working Clean-Up Crew!
- Red-rimmed melania – Wikipedia
- Melanoides tuberculata species homepage
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