Our Fish Collective

Meet the freshwater crowd

Aquarium snail index

Small animals. Different needs. Find out what each snail eats, who it can live with and how to care for it.

  • 11 snails
  • 17 questions each
  • 3 to compare
Card view

Browse the guides, or tick two or three cards to compare their care needs.

Browse snails
All 11
No. 001Omnivore

Mystery snail

A purple and cream striped mystery snail crawling over a dark stone with its tentacles out.
Algae grazing
Some
Breeding speed
Not known
Population growth
Not known
Adult size
40–50 mm Shell width · varies
Lifespan
1–2 years
Water
21–26 °C

P. diffusa reference; other mystery snails may differ.

Eats plants
Sometimes
With shrimp
Yes
Guide
No. 002Carnivore

Assassin snail

Striped assassin snails on aquarium gravel.
Algae grazing
Low
Breeding speed
Not known
Population growth
Not known
Adult size
20–35 mm Axis not stated
Lifespan
2–3 years
Water
22–27 °C
Eats plants
No
With shrimp
Caution
Guide
No. 003Herbivore

Nerite snail

A yellow and black striped zebra nerite on aquarium wood.
Algae grazing
High
Breeding speed
Not applicable
Population growth
Low
Adult size
13–38 mm Axis not stated · varies
Lifespan
1–2 years
Water
22–26 °C

Reported range across aquarium nerite species, not the size of every type.

Eats plants
No
With shrimp
Yes
Guide
No. 004Omnivore

Ramshorn snail

Orange and pink Planorbella duryi ramshorn snails on aquarium gravel.
Algae grazing
Some
Breeding speed
High
Population growth
High
Adult size
20–25 mm Shell width
Lifespan
1–3 years
Water
18–25 °C
Eats plants
Sometimes
With shrimp
Yes
Guide
No. 005Omnivore

Bladder snail

A bladder snail on a dark stone, seen from the side with its gold-speckled shell and pointed tip clearly visible.
Algae grazing
Some
Breeding speed
High
Population growth
High
Adult size
7–12 mm Shell height
Lifespan
0.5–1.1 years
Water
17–27 °C
Eats plants
No
With shrimp
Yes
Guide
No. 006Omnivore

Rabbit snail

Yellow-bodied rabbit snails with long brown shells in an aquarium.
Algae grazing
Some
Breeding speed
Low
Population growth
Low
Adult size
20–120 mm Axis not stated · varies
Lifespan
1–3 years
Water
25–29 °C

Reported 20–120 mm across the trade group; dwarf and giant types differ.

Eats plants
Sometimes
With shrimp
Yes
Guide
No. 007Detritivore

Malaysian trumpet snail

A Malaysian trumpet snail with a mottled pointed shell crawling on a green leaf.
Algae grazing
Some
Breeding speed
High
Population growth
High
Adult size
25–38 mm Axis not stated
Lifespan
1–3 years
Water
21–26 °C
Eats plants
No
With shrimp
Yes
Guide
No. 008Omnivore

Apple snail

An apple snail on pale aquarium sand, showing its rounded brown-and-gold banded shell, spiral and face.
Algae grazing
Some
Breeding speed
Varies
Population growth
High
Adult size
40–60 mm Shell width · varies
Lifespan
1–4 years
Water
18–28 °C

40–60 mm shell width is a P. canaliculata example only. Some Pomacea reach about 150 mm across.

Eats plants
Varies
With shrimp
Caution
Guide
No. 009Omnivore

Pond snail

A great pond snail resting on a hand, showing its complete glossy brown shell and long pointed spire.
Algae grazing
Some
Breeding speed
High
Population growth
High
Adult size
35–50 mm Shell height
Lifespan
1.5–3 years
Water
18–22 °C
Eats plants
Yes
With shrimp
Caution
Guide
No. 010Omnivore

Japanese trapdoor snail

A Japanese trapdoor type, Sinotaia quadrata, showing its rounded olive spiral shell while resting on a submerged stem.
Algae grazing
High
Breeding speed
Varies
Population growth
Medium
Adult size
Varies
Lifespan
1–5 years
Water
20–29 °C

Up to about 50 mm reported by the breeder; measurement axis not stated. Adult size varies.

Eats plants
Sometimes
With shrimp
Yes
Guide
No. 011Herbivore

Onion snail

Five views of a red onion nerite shell, showing its rounded brown shape, dark dots, spiral and pale opening.
Algae grazing
High
Breeding speed
Not applicable
Population growth
Low
Adult size
Varies
Lifespan
1–2 years
Water
22–28 °C

Up to about 25 mm shell width in the UK wholesaler’s account; individual sizes differ.

Eats plants
No
With shrimp
Yes
Guide
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Check the animal's identity, mature size, feeding needs and tank mates before adding it. An algae grazer and a snail predator do different jobs. Neither replaces routine aquarium maintenance.

Keep aquarium snails in aquariums. Never release snails or their eggs into ponds, waterways or the wild.