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Malaysian Trumpet Snail (Melanoides tuberculata)

Malaysian trumpet snails are the earthworms of the aquarium: they live buried in the substrate by day, turning and aerating it, and emerge at night to eat detritus and leftover food. Be clear-eyed about the trade: they are parthenogenetic livebearers, so a single snail becomes hundreds, and the population is effectively permanent once established. Their numbers track food supply — a carpet of trumpets on the glass at night is a sign of overfeeding, not a snail problem.

Care specifications

TypeSnail
DifficultyEasy
Max size1 in
Lifespan1–2 years
Temperature70–84 °F
pH7–8
General hardness6–18 dGH
Calcium needsMedium
Minimum tank size5 gallons
DietDetritus, Leftover fish food, Algae, Biofilm
RolesScavenger
Plant safeYes
Betta compatibleYes
Breeds in freshwaterYes
Population growthFast
TemperamentPeaceful

Get Malaysian Trumpet Snail

Malaysian Trumpet Snail is not currently stocked at AquaticMotiv.

Frequently asked questions

Will Malaysian trumpet snails take over my tank?

They will multiply to match the available food, and you will never fully remove them once they are in — their trapdoor and burrowing habit defeats most removal methods. Control the population by feeding less and vacuuming the substrate; assassin snails are the one predator that reliably reduces them.

Are trumpet snails good or bad for a planted tank?

Genuinely good. They burrow through the substrate without eating plant roots or healthy leaves, which prevents anaerobic dead spots in deep sand and gently turns over the top layer. Most planted-tank problems blamed on them are actually overfeeding problems.

Planting the same tank?

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