AQUATICMOTIVShop

Ramshorn Snail (Planorbella duryi)

Ramshorns are the classic love-them-or-hate-them snail: tireless consumers of soft algae, dead leaves, and uneaten food, with striking red and pink forms that carry their blood's hemoglobin color through a translucent shell. They are hermaphrodites that lay jelly-dot egg clutches constantly, so the population rises and falls with how much you feed. In a planted tank they function as a free cleanup crew; in an overfed tank they become wallpaper.

Care specifications

TypeSnail
DifficultyEasy
Max size1 in
Lifespan1–2 years
Temperature64–80 °F
pH7–8
General hardness5–15 dGH
Calcium needsMedium
Minimum tank size5 gallons
DietAlgae, Biofilm, Decaying plant matter, Leftover fish food
RolesAlgae eater, Scavenger
Plant safeYes
Betta compatibleYes
Breeds in freshwaterYes
Population growthFast
TemperamentPeaceful

Get Ramshorn Snail

Ramshorn Snail

3 Red Ramshorn Snails

$13.99 Out of stock

View product →

Frequently asked questions

Will ramshorn snails eat my live plants?

Healthy plants are almost always safe — their rasping mouthparts are built for algae film and soft decaying tissue. A hungry, overcrowded colony may test delicate or melting plants, so holes in robust healthy leaves point to another culprit; holes in dying leaves are the snails doing their job.

How do I keep ramshorn numbers under control?

Feed less — population size is a direct readout of food supply. Beyond that, crush a few against the glass for your fish, trap them with blanched zucchini overnight, or add assassin snails if you want them gone entirely. Chemical snail killers also nuke your shrimp and filter bacteria; skip them.

Planting the same tank?

Browse the aquarium plant database — verified light, CO2, and height data for every species — or let the plant finder rank them against your exact setup.