Giant Ramshorn Snail care guide
Giant Ramshorn Snail (Marisa cornuarietis) — minimum tank 40 L, temperature 20-28 °C, pH 7-8.5.
Overview
The Giant Ramshorn Snail (Marisa cornuarietis) is a large flat-coiled apple snail from northern South America. The shell is planispiral and may be gold, brown, blue or pink. It is studied for biological control because it competes with vector snails involved in schistosomiasis transmission.
Taxonomy
- Family: Ampullariidae
- Genus: Marisa
- Scientific name: Marisa cornuarietis
- Common synonyms: Colombian Ramshorn, Apple Ramshorn
Habitat
Native to slow rivers, marshes, ponds and irrigation systems of northern South America (Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil) and the Caribbean. The species tolerates a wide range of warm, hard, alkaline freshwater habitats.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L (10.6 US gal)
- Adult size: 4-5 cm
- Temperature: 20-28 °C (68-82 °F)
- pH: 7-8.5
- GH: 8-18 °dGH
- KH: 4-12 °dKH
- Lifespan: 2-4 years
Diet
A herbivore that grazes on aquatic vegetation, algae and decaying plant matter. In aquaria it will graze on soft plants including stem plants, Ceratopteris and Limnobium; combine only with hardy or tough-leaved plants such as Anubias and Java Fern.
Compatibility
Peaceful toward fish and shrimp. Compatible community fish such as tetras and rasboras and other hardy companions are appropriate. Avoid soft-leaved planted tanks, loaches and pufferfish.
Breeding
Oviparous, in contrast with the related Pomacea: females lay translucent gelatinous egg masses submerged on plants or hardscape. Reproduction is steady in well-fed tanks.