Malaysian Trumpet Snail care guide
Malaysian Trumpet Snail (Melanoides tuberculata) — minimum tank 10 L, temperature 18-30 °C, pH 6.5-8.5.
Overview
The Malaysian Trumpet Snail (Melanoides tuberculata) is a small conical-shelled freshwater snail widely distributed across the tropics and subtropics. The species is parthenogenetic — populations consist almost entirely of females that reproduce without males.
Taxonomy
- Family: Thiaridae
- Genus: Melanoides
- Scientific name: Melanoides tuberculata
- Common synonyms: MTS, Trumpet Snail
Habitat
Originally native to north Africa, south-east Asia and the Indo-Pacific, but now naturalised across most warm regions of the world through the aquarium trade. Occurs in slow rivers, ponds, irrigation channels and warm spring outflows over soft substrate.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 10 L (2.6 US gal)
- Adult size: 1-3 cm
- Temperature: 18-30 °C (64-86 °F)
- pH: 6.5-8.5
- GH: 5-20 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 1-3 years
Diet
A detritivore feeding on biofilm, decaying plant material and leftover food. In planted aquaria the snail spends daylight hours burrowed in the substrate, aerating the gravel and consuming detritus that would otherwise contribute to anaerobic pockets.
Compatibility
Peaceful and entirely compatible with shrimp, fish and other snails. Populations grow quickly if excess food is present, so feeding restraint is the main population-control tool; Assassin Snails (Clea helena) and Loaches are effective biological controls if numbers rise.
Breeding
Ovoviviparous and parthenogenetic — females retain fertilised eggs internally and release fully formed live juveniles without a free larval stage. Reproduction is rapid under stable warm conditions with abundant food.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is highly adaptable and considered invasive in many introduced regions where it can host parasites of veterinary and medical concern.