Ramshorn Snail - Planorbella duryi Snail Profile & Care Guide
Introduction
The Ramshorn Snail (Planorbella duryi) is a fascinating creature that adds interest and functionality to any aquarium. This snail is often seen minding its own business and, at times, swimming with its belly up on the surface of the water, seemingly defying gravity. It is thought that they produce tiny threads that allow them to swing across areas in the tank like a spider's thread, adding to their mysterious appeal.
Apart from their unique physical abilities, Ramshorn Snails play a vital role in breaking down uneaten food and fish waste into a more bioavailable form for your filter bacteria, helping to maintain a healthy and balanced aquarium environment. These snails also help to control algae growth, contributing to a cleaner and clearer aquarium.
To foster an amicable aquatic environment, it is advisable to select tranquil companions for Ramshorn Snails. Suitable choices encompass Otocinclus Catfish and Cory Catfish, both of which demonstrate compatibility. Additionally, various species of freshwater shrimps, such as Bamboo Shrimp, Amano Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp, Red Cherry Shrimp, and Vampire Shrimp, can harmoniously coexist. Inclusion within their aquatic community could extend to gold snails, silver snails, ivory snails, Mystery Snails, and trumpet snails.
It is prudent to exercise caution when considering tankmates. Cichlids, goldfish, and other aggressive fish ought to be excluded, as their behaviour could jeopardize the well-being of the defenceless Ramshorn snail. Furthermore, the inclusion of aquarium crayfish, such as Hammers Cobalt Blue Lobster and Tangerine Lobster, should be avoided due to the potential threat they pose. Their capability to capture and consume slow-moving Ramshorn Snails renders them unsuitable companions.
The colour of their shells can vary from translucent through several shades of brown to a dark, almost black colour, depending on their diet and environment. Interestingly, some species from ponds are this dark shade due to dietary materials not commonly available in the home aquarium. The rare varieties of Ramshorn Snails have been selectively bred, and these include blue and pale pink shells. These traits are recessive, and if crossbred, the resultant offspring are likely to be the wild type, which is brown.
Snails of this family are spiralled, with the opening hole slanted downwards towards the right, and large folds of skin may protrude out of the more open left side. Like all air-breathing water snails, the animal has only one pair of tentacles with eyes at the base of the tentacles and no operculum.
Ramshorn Snails are amphibious creatures adapted to life in polluted waters with low oxygen content. The snail can breathe both with oxygen dissolved in the water and with atmospheric air using its particular pulmonary cavity, making them a fascinating and adaptable addition to your aquarium.
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Photos
Sexual Dimorphism
As Ramshorn Snails are simultaneous hermaphrodites, discerning their sex is unfeasible.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Planorbella duryi |
|---|---|
| Year Described | 1879 |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Classification | Gastropoda |
| Order | Basommatophora |
| Family | Planorbidae |
| Genus | Helisoma |
| Origins | United States |
| Approx Max Size | 2.5 cm |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | All Levels |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Shoaling | No |
| Best kept as | NA |
| Diet & Feeding | Herbivore |
| Reproduction | Egg Depositor |
| Average Lifespan | Up to 1 Year |
Water Parameters
| Water Type | Freshwater |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.0 - 8.0 |
| GH | 7 - 15 |
| KH | 5 - 15 |
| TDS | 150 - 300 |
| ℉ | 70 - 78 |
|---|---|
| ℃ | 21 - 25 |
Natural Habitat
Ramshorn Snails can be found in a wide range of locations across the globe, as they prefer to inhabit shallow, slow-moving freshwater environments such as ponds, streams, and lakes. These habitats are typically rich in decaying plant matter, which provides both nourishment and shelter for these snails. As such, they are well adapted to a variety of environments and can thrive in a range of conditions, making them fascinating and versatile species to observe in the wild or in a home aquarium.
Breeding
Ramshorn Snails, being hermaphroditic, have the ability to breed and produce offspring regardless of their sex. These snails lay their eggs in small, round clusters that are typically brown in colour, with each cluster containing around a dozen or so eggs, although this number can vary.
These translucent clusters enable visual monitoring of the snails' growth as the developing snails can be observed in the eggs. While newborn snails appear as a clear to white colour, they are incredibly prolific breeders and can easily become a nuisance in an aquarium. As such, controlling the amount of food provided to the tank can help to manage and control their reproduction.
Diet & Feeding
Ramshorn Snails are known to be voracious eaters, and although they are efficient scavengers, it's still essential to supplement their diet with a variety of foods. In addition to the algae present in your tank, providing a balanced diet of debris, vegetables, and commercial supplements will help to ensure that your Snails stay healthy and grow steadily.
Adequate calcium levels are crucial to ensure the healthy growth of these snails and to prevent their shells from developing cracks. Therefore, it's recommended to provide calcium-rich supplements such as cuttlebone or calcium powder to their diet. A well-balanced diet will not only keep your Ramshorn snails healthy but also make them more active and attractive in your aquarium.
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Published: 07 Oct 2020
Last Updated: 19 Apr 2024