Ramshorn Snail

Several Snail Species

Ramshorn snails exist in a variety of colour forms ranging from dark chocolate brown, grey, beige, red and many shades in between. Darker spots, patches or stripes are also seen on top of the base colour in some ramshorn snail species. The ramshorn's shell is translucent allowing the body colour to show through. The snail's colour may darken as the shell grows larger and thickens.

The shell forms a flat spiral similar to a ram's horn. The body consists of a large muscled foot that can be retracted along with the head into the shell. When viewed from the side, ramshorn snails appear similar in shape to a small garden snail, but a top view shows the flat disc like nature of the shell. For this reason they are sometimes known as wheel snails.

Red ramshorn snails were once the staple snail of the aquarium trade. They have since been replaced by the mystery snail in popularity. The red ramshorn snail can still create a spectacle in the aquarium however. Despite it's smaller size it's red colouration can show up vividly under fluorescent lighting.

Like other omnivorous aquarium snails the ramshorn may eat aquarium plants if there are no tastier foods to scavenge.

Family - Planorbidae and other lymnaeidae aquatic snails

Species - Many species (see below for some varieties)

Size - Grows to 10-15 mm diameter or larger for giant ramshorn

Fish Origin - Different rams horn snail types found on many continents

Water - Not choosy - often stagnant water - avoid acid water

Temperature - 10-30°C

Feeding - Algae pellets & some protein. Will scavenge for leftovers or plants.

Sexing - Hermaphroditic

Breeding - Very prolific - lays eggs in small rounded masses of hard jelly

Aquarium - Good for community aquariums or ponds - coldwater or tropical

This Ramshorn snail has been recorded in time lapse. As it moves across the glass fish can be seen darting in the background.

The similarities between various aquatic snails sometimes causes confusion as to what actually is a ramshorn snail. There is no correct answer as it is a loose term describing a number of aquarium species.

Related Snail Pages

Mystery Snail | Aquarium Snail

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