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Giant Colombian Ramshorn Snail
Marisa cornuarietis
📍 South America (Colombia)
The Giant Colombian Ramshorn Snail is one of the largest freshwater snail species, featuring a distinctive flat, coiled shell that can reach impressive sizes. These peaceful herbivores are excellent algae eaters and detritivores, making them valuable for tank maintenance. They are hardy and adaptable, making them suitable for both beginner and experienced aquarists.
Care Guide
Diet
Giant Colombian Ramshorn Snails are voracious herbivores that consume algae, biofilm, and decaying plant matter throughout the tank. Supplement their diet with blanched vegetables such as zucchini, spinach, and lettuce, as well as algae wafers. Feed vegetables 2-3 times per week, removing uneaten portions after 24 hours.
Behavior
These snails are primarily nocturnal and spend much of their time grazing on surfaces and substrate. They are solitary but can coexist peacefully with other snails and fish. Giant Colombian Ramshorns are prolific breeders and can quickly overpopulate a tank if breeding is not controlled.
Breeding
Giant Colombian Ramshorn Snails are hermaphrodites and breed readily in freshwater aquariums without special conditions. They lay clusters of clear, gelatinous eggs on hard surfaces, which hatch within 1-2 weeks. Populations can explode rapidly, potentially overwhelming a tank; consider removing egg clusters or maintaining predatory fish to control numbers.
Tank Mates
Peaceful algae eater that shares similar grazing habits and water parameters
Peaceful invertebrate that complements snail grazing without competition or aggression
Peaceful fish that ignores snails and shares compatible water conditions
Small, peaceful schooling fish that will not bother snails
Peaceful algae eater with similar dietary needs and nocturnal behavior
Common Diseases
Shell Erosion
Pitting, thinning, or deterioration of shell surface; visible damage or holes in shell
Increase water hardness (calcium and magnesium) through mineral supplements or crushed coral; ensure pH is above 7.0; provide cuttlebone or calcium-rich foods
Parasitic Flukes
Excessive mucus production, lethargy, shell clamping, reduced feeding activity
Perform 25% water changes daily for 2 weeks; increase aeration; use fenbendazole or praziquantel if available; quarantine affected snails
Bacterial Shell Infection
Discoloration, fuzzy growth on shell, foul odor, shell degradation
Improve water quality with frequent water changes; increase aeration; remove snail to quarantine tank; treat with antibiotics if severe
Copper Toxicity
Lethargy, shell clamping, reduced movement, death
Perform immediate large water changes; avoid copper-based medications and fertilizers; use copper-free treatments only; snails are highly sensitive to copper
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Herbivore/detritivore - consumes algae, biofilm, decaying plant matter, and soft vegetables
- lifespan
- 3-4 years
- max size
- 4 cm (1.6 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5-8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 8-18 dGH
- temperature
- 68–82°F (20–28°C)