Shoal & Stem
Back to Flora & Fauna
SnaileasyFreshwater

Yellow Rabbit Snail

Tylomelania towutensis

Also known as Yellow Elephant Snail, Sulawesi Rabbit Snail

Animalia›Mollusca›Gastropoda›Pachychilidae

Kept by 2 members in 2 tanks

Yellow Rabbit Snails are large, attractive freshwater snails native to Sulawesi, Indonesia, prized for their bright yellow coloration and distinctive elongated shell shape. They are peaceful detritivores that help maintain tank cleanliness by consuming algae, biofilm, and decaying plant matter. These snails are relatively hardy and make excellent additions to planted and community aquariums.

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
3-5 yrs

Ammonia 0 ppm and nitrate under 20 ppm.

Tanks keeping this

Kept by 2 members

2 tanks shared publicly.

Care

Diet

Yellow Rabbit Snails are primarily detritivores that feed on algae, biofilm, and decaying plant matter naturally present in the tank. Supplement with blanched vegetables such as zucchini, spinach, and lettuce, and calcium-rich foods like cuttlebone or algae wafers to support shell health. Feed supplemental foods 2-3 times per week in established tanks with adequate natural food sources.

Behavior

Yellow Rabbit Snails are nocturnal and spend most of the day hidden among substrate and plants, becoming more active at night. They are solitary snails that do not require companions but can coexist peacefully with other snails. They move slowly across surfaces, grazing on biofilm and algae, and will occasionally burrow into substrate.

Breeding

Yellow Rabbit Snails are gonochoristic (separate sexes) and do not breed readily in freshwater aquariums, making them excellent for population control concerns. Breeding requires specific environmental triggers that are difficult to replicate in captivity, so population explosions are not a concern with this species.

Member photos

Vote for the cover

Photos are added when members log a tank with this species and upload a photo in their tank journal. Add your own tank to contribute.

by @octaviorodriguez

Sign in to vote.

Common diseases 4Shell Erosion, Parasitic Flukes, Bacterial Shell Infection, Copper Toxicity

Shell Erosion

Symptoms

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

Treatment

Increase water hardness (8+ dGH) with calcium supplements, cuttlebone, or mineral additives; ensure adequate dietary calcium through varied foods

Parasitic Flukes

Symptoms

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

Treatment

Perform 25% water changes weekly; treat with anti-parasitic medication designed for snails; quarantine affected snails if possible

Bacterial Shell Infection

Symptoms

Discoloration, pitting, or soft spots on shell; foul odor from shell

Treatment

Maintain excellent water quality with regular water changes; provide calcium-rich diet; treat with antibacterial medication if severe

Copper Toxicity

Symptoms

Lethargy, withdrawal, loss of appetite, shell damage, death

Treatment

Avoid all copper-based medications and fertilizers; use copper-free treatments; perform water changes to dilute copper; snails are highly sensitive to copper

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.

Keepers’ experiences

Keep Yellow Rabbit Snail? Share how it's going.

Nobody has shared one yet. A few lines on how they've done in your tank help the next keeper.

Sign in to share