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SnaileasyFreshwater

Leopard Ramshorn Snail

Planorbella duryi

📍 North America (United States)

Ask Finn

The Leopard Ramshorn Snail is a medium-sized freshwater snail with an attractive spotted or mottled shell pattern that resembles a leopard's coat. These peaceful herbivores are excellent algae eaters and detritivores, making them valuable additions to planted and community tanks. They are hardy, easy to care for, and can help maintain tank cleanliness by consuming excess food and decaying plant matter.

Size1.25"
Min Tank5g
peaceful
Zonebottom

Care Guide

Diet

Leopard Ramshorn Snails are primarily herbivorous and will graze on algae, biofilm, and decaying plant matter throughout the tank. Supplement their diet with blanched vegetables such as zucchini, spinach, and cucumber, as well as algae wafers and quality sinking pellets. Feed vegetables 2-3 times per week, removing uneaten portions after 24 hours to prevent water quality issues.

Behavior

These snails are nocturnal and spend most of their time grazing on surfaces and substrate, helping to control algae growth and clean up detritus. They are slow-moving and peaceful, rarely interacting with other tank inhabitants. Leopard Ramshorns are known for their ability to seal themselves inside their shells when threatened or during unfavorable conditions.

Breeding

Leopard Ramshorn Snails are hermaphrodites and breed readily in freshwater aquariums, laying clusters of clear jelly-like eggs on hard surfaces. Breeding can occur frequently, potentially leading to population explosions if not managed; consider removing egg clusters if overpopulation is a concern. Juveniles are tiny and may be difficult to spot initially but will grow rapidly with adequate food and stable water conditions.

Common Diseases

Shell Erosion

Symptoms

Pitting, thinning, or deterioration of the shell; white spots or chalky appearance

Treatment

Increase water hardness (calcium and magnesium) through mineral supplements or crushed coral; ensure pH is not too acidic; provide cuttlebone or calcium-rich foods

Parasitic Flukes

Symptoms

Excessive mucus production, lethargy, shell damage, or withdrawal into shell for extended periods

Treatment

Perform 25% water changes; treat with anti-parasitic medications designed for snails; quarantine affected snails if possible; improve water quality and reduce stressors

Bacterial Infection

Symptoms

Foul odor from shell, visible lesions or discoloration on soft tissue, inability to retract into shell

Treatment

Improve water quality through frequent partial water changes; remove decaying food and waste promptly; maintain stable water parameters; consider antibacterial treatments if severe

Starvation/Malnutrition

Symptoms

Slow growth, thin shell, reduced activity, inability to reproduce

Treatment

Increase feeding frequency with algae wafers, blanched vegetables, and quality sinking pellets; ensure adequate biofilm development in established tanks; supplement with calcium-rich foods

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Quick Facts

diet
Herbivore/Detritivore - consumes algae, biofilm, decaying plant matter, and soft vegetables
lifespan
1-3 years
max size
3.2 cm (1.25 in)
tank size
5 gallons minimum
temperament
peaceful

Water it likes

ph
6.5-8.0
ammonia
0 ppm
nitrate
<20 ppm
hardness
6-12 dGH
temperature
64–79°F (18–26°C)

Stats

Community tips0
Kept by0 hobbyists