Malaysian Trumpet Snail

Melanoides tuberculata

Animalia›Mollusca›Gastropoda›Thiaridae

📍 Africa, Asia & Australia

Malaysian trumpet snails are beneficial substrate dwellers that burrow through gravel and sand, aerating it and preventing the build-up of toxic anaerobic pockets. They are predominantly nocturnal and are often only seen at night. Populations can explode with excess food, but remain in check with controlled feeding.

Size0.75"

Min Tank5g

peaceful

Zoneall

Care Guide

Diet

Malaysian trumpet snails are detritivores that consume decaying plant matter, uneaten fish food, and algae buildup on substrate and surfaces. They require no supplemental feeding in established tanks with regular bioload from fish; overfeeding fish will cause snail populations to explode. In mature tanks with minimal waste, they sustain themselves entirely on natural detritus.

Behavior

These snails are predominantly nocturnal, spending daylight hours buried in substrate and emerging at night to forage. They are beneficial substrate aerators, constantly burrowing through gravel and sand to prevent toxic anaerobic pockets from forming. They are peaceful and non-aggressive, posing no threat to fish, plants, or other invertebrates.

Breeding

Malaysian trumpet snails are livebearers that reproduce asexually through parthenogenesis, meaning females can produce offspring without males. Populations can rapidly explode in tanks with excess food and organic waste; population control is best managed through careful feeding practices rather than manual removal. Breeding in captivity is inevitable and occurs continuously under favorable conditions.

Tank Mates

Otocinclus

Peaceful algae eaters with compatible water parameters; non-competitive for food and space

excellent

Red Cherry Shrimp

Peaceful invertebrates with overlapping water requirements; snails may occasionally consume shrimp fry

good

Guppy

Hardy fish with compatible temperature and pH ranges; snails benefit from excess uneaten food

excellent

Ramshorn Snail

Compatible snail species with similar care requirements; may compete for food in small tanks

good

Dwarf Gourami

Peaceful fish with suitable water parameters; snails remain hidden during day when gouramis are active

good

Common Diseases

Shell Erosion

Symptoms

Pitting, thinning, or deterioration of shell surface; visible white spots or holes in shell

Treatment

Increase water hardness (6-15 dGH) through mineral supplements or crushed coral; ensure adequate calcium availability; maintain stable pH 7.0-8.0

Parasitic Infection

Symptoms

Lethargy, reduced feeding, mucus buildup on shell, unusual behavior or inactivity

Treatment

Perform 25-30% water changes; quarantine affected snails; avoid copper-based treatments which are toxic to snails; improve water quality and tank cleanliness

Bacterial Shell Disease

Symptoms

Discoloration, soft spots on shell, foul odor, visible decay or deterioration

Treatment

Improve water quality through increased aeration and frequent partial water changes; remove decaying organic matter; maintain temperature 20-28°C; isolate severely affected individuals

Overpopulation Stress

Symptoms

Reduced growth rate, smaller offspring, increased mortality, competition for food and space

Treatment

Reduce feeding frequency to limit food availability; manually remove excess snails; increase tank volume if possible; perform more frequent water changes to manage bioload