Chocolate Rabbit Snail
Tylomelania zemis
Animalia›Mollusca›Gastropoda›Pachychilidae
The Chocolate Rabbit Snail is a large, attractive freshwater snail native to Sulawesi, Indonesia, prized for its rich brown coloration and distinctive elongated shell. These peaceful detritivores are excellent algae and biofilm eaters, making them valuable additions to established aquariums. They are relatively hardy but require stable water conditions and adequate calcium for shell health.
At a glance
- Size
- 1.5 in
- 4 cm
- Min tank
- 20 gal
- 76 L
- Temp
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 7.0-8.0
- GH
- 143–268 ppm
- 8–15 dGH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Bottom
- Lifespan
- 3-4 yrs
Ammonia 0 ppm and nitrate under 20 ppm.
Tanks keeping this
Kept by 2 members2 tanks shared publicly.
Care
Diet
Chocolate Rabbit Snails are primarily detritivores that consume algae, biofilm, and decaying organic matter. Supplement their diet with blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach, lettuce), algae wafers, and calcium-rich foods like cuttlebone or specialized snail pellets. Feed 2-3 times weekly, removing uneaten food after 24 hours.
Behavior
These snails are nocturnal and spend most of the day buried in substrate or hiding among plants, becoming more active at night. They are solitary and do not require companions, though multiple individuals can coexist peacefully if space permits. They are excellent substrate sifters and help maintain tank cleanliness through their feeding activities.
Breeding
Chocolate Rabbit Snails are dioecious (separate sexes) and breeding in captivity is rare and difficult to achieve. They lay eggs in small clusters on hard surfaces, but larvae typically require brackish water to develop successfully, making freshwater breeding impractical for most hobbyists. Population control is generally not a concern with this species.
Tank mates
See all 5Both are peaceful algae eaters that occupy different niches and do not compete
Peaceful community fish that will not prey on snails or disturb them
Small, peaceful schooling fish that pose no threat to snails
Plant that provides shelter and grazing surfaces without being consumed
Hardy plant that snails will not damage and provides cover
Member photos
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Common diseases 4Shell Erosion, Parasitic Flukes, Bacterial Infection, Copper Toxicity
Shell Erosion
Pitting, thinning, or deterioration of shell surface; white spots or chalky appearance
Increase water hardness (8+ dGH) and add calcium supplements; use cuttlebone, crushed coral, or commercial snail calcium products; ensure pH is neutral to slightly alkaline
Parasitic Flukes
Excessive mucus production, lethargy, shell damage, refusal to feed
Perform 25-50% water changes; quarantine affected snails; treat with anti-parasitic medication if available; maintain pristine water quality and avoid copper-based treatments
Bacterial Infection
Foul odor from shell, visible lesions or rot on body, cloudy mucus, inability to retract into shell
Improve water quality through frequent water changes; remove decaying food and waste; maintain stable temperature; consider antibacterial treatments if condition worsens
Copper Toxicity
Lethargy, refusal to feed, shell discoloration, death
Avoid all copper-based medications and treatments; use copper-free plant fertilizers; perform large water changes if copper exposure is suspected; maintain good water quality to prevent need for medications
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and change over time; check with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping or shipping it.
The care information here is written with AI help, so it can contain mistakes. Spot one? Tell us and we'll fix it.
At a glance
- Size
- 1.5 in4 cm
- Min tank
- 20 gal76 L
- Temp
- 75–82°F24–28°C
- pH
- 7.0-8.0
- GH
- 143–268 ppm8–15 dGH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Bottom
- Lifespan
- 3-4 yrs
Ammonia 0 ppm and nitrate under 20 ppm.
Keepers’ experiences
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