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Giant Ramshorn Snail
Marisa cornuarietis
Animalia›Mollusca›Gastropoda›Ampullariidae
📍 South America
The Giant Ramshorn (Colombian Ramshorn) is a large, impressive snail with a distinctive flat, coiled shell striped in brown and cream — reaching up to 5 cm (2.0 in) — distinguishing it from the smaller true ramshorn (Planorbarius). Unlike many ornamental snails it has a voracious appetite for aquatic plants and should not be kept in planted aquariums; it is best suited to fish-only or utilitarian setups where its algae and detritus grazing is beneficial. It reproduces readily in freshwater.
Care Guide
Diet
Giant Ramshorn Snails are omnivorous grazers that consume algae, detritus, and decaying plant matter as their primary food source. Supplement with sinking pellets or blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach) 2-3 times weekly. Avoid keeping them in planted tanks, as they will voraciously consume live aquatic plants and can quickly devastate vegetation.
Behavior
These snails are nocturnal and spend daylight hours hidden, becoming active during evening and night hours. They are peaceful toward all fish and other animals, moving slowly across surfaces while grazing. Giant Ramshorns are prolific breeders in freshwater and can quickly overpopulate a tank if food is abundant.
Breeding
Giant Ramshorns breed readily in freshwater aquariums without special conditions, making them prolific reproducers. Females lay clusters of clear, gelatinous egg masses on hard surfaces (glass, rocks, driftwood), with eggs hatching in 7-10 days. Population control is essential; remove egg masses regularly or maintain predatory tank mates to prevent overpopulation.
Tank Mates
Peaceful algae-eater with identical water parameters and non-aggressive temperament
Peaceful cichlid that won't prey on snails; prefers similar warm water conditions
Will prey on Giant Ramshorns; useful for population control but may reduce snail population
Peaceful algae-eater with similar water needs; nocturnal like the snail
Small, peaceful schooling fish that won't disturb snails and prefer similar water conditions
Common Diseases
Shell Erosion
Pitting, thinning, or dissolving shell surface; white spots or chalky appearance
Increase water hardness (8-18 dGH) with calcium supplements or crushed coral; ensure adequate pH (7.0-8.0) and perform regular water changes
Parasitic Infections
Lethargy, withdrawn behavior, reduced feeding, visible parasites on body or shell
Quarantine affected snails; perform 25-50% water changes; avoid copper-based treatments (toxic to snails); treat with salt baths (1 tablespoon per gallon for 10-15 minutes) if severe
Bacterial Shell Disease
Discolored patches on shell, soft or mushy areas, foul odor
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes; remove decaying food and waste; maintain stable parameters; isolate severely affected individuals
Starvation/Malnutrition
Slow growth, thin body, reduced activity, shell deformities
Ensure adequate algae growth or supplement with sinking pellets and blanched vegetables; maintain stable water conditions and proper tank maintenance
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – aquatic plants (caution!), algae, detritus, sinking pellets
- breeding
- Prolific in freshwater; egg masses on hard surfaces
- lifespan
- 3–5 years
- max size
- 5 cm (2 in)
- tank size
- 15 gallons minimum
- temperament
- Peaceful toward fish; destructive toward plants
Water it likes
- ph
- 7.0–8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 8–18 dGH
- temperature
- 68–82°F (20–28°C)