Gemmifera Rabbit Snail care guide
Gemmifera Rabbit Snail (Tylomelania gemmifera) — minimum tank 60 L, temperature 26-30 °C, pH 7.5-8.5.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Gemmifera Rabbit Snail (Tylomelania gemmifera) is a large freshwater snail of the family Pachychilidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an intermediate-level species. Tylomelania with yellow speckled black body and high spired shell. From Lake Towuti.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pachychilidae
- Genus: Tylomelania
- Scientific name: Tylomelania gemmifera
- Common synonyms: Yellow Spotted Rabbit
Habitat
Pachychilid snails are large freshwater gastropods of tropical Asia, including the Sulawesi lake endemics of the genus Tylomelania and the sculptured Brotia and elongate Faunus of South-East Asian rivers. Most are livebearers and graze algae, biofilm and detritus. In the Aquairi knowledge base this species is recorded from Lake Towuti, Sulawesi.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L (15.9 US gal)
- Adult size: 4-8 cm
- Temperature: 26-30 °C (79-86 °F)
- pH: 7.5-8.5
- GH: 6-14 °dGH
- KH: 4-10 °dKH
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
The species is a herbivore, grazing algae, biofilm and decaying matter from surfaces and substrate; in aquaria its diet is supplemented with algae wafers and blanched vegetables when natural growth is scarce.
Compatibility
The Aquairi knowledge base lists this species as peaceful. Suitable tank mates include Sulawesi shrimp. It should be kept away from Loaches, Pufferfish, Assassin Snail. It grazes and may damage soft aquarium plants, so it is best suited to hardscape or species tanks.
Breeding
Reproduction is live-bearing: females release fully formed juveniles rather than eggs, and aquarium breeding is rated moderate. Populations can build up steadily in stable, well-fed tanks.
Breeding the Gemmifera Rabbit Snail (Tylomelania gemmifera)
Overview
Tylomelania gemmifera is a rabbit snail from Lake Towuti, part of the Malili lake system on Sulawesi, Indonesia. It belongs to the family Pachychilidae and, in common with the whole genus, is dioecious. It is a slow grazer that needs the warm, hard, alkaline water typical of the ancient Sulawesi lakes.
Reproduction is slow and yields a single juvenile per event. As a lake-system endemic, breeding it in captivity reduces demand on wild populations.
Sexing
Sexes cannot be distinguished externally with confidence, and a solitary snail will not reproduce. Keeping a group is the reliable route to having both a male and a female; successful births confirm it.
Conditioning
Condition with stable parameters and continuous feeding on algae, biofilm and leaf litter. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero and nitrate low; soft water must be avoided as it slowly dissolves the shell.
- Temperature: 26-30 °C (79-86 °F)
- pH: 7.5-8.5 (alkaline; avoid soft water)
- GH: 6-14 °dGH
- KH: 4-10 °dKH
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
Breeding Setup
A standard, well-kept Sulawesi-style tank serves as the breeding setup. Use fine substrate, hiding places and low lighting. The key requirement is hard, warm, alkaline, oxygen-rich water with excellent quality.
Reproduction & Young
Tylomelania are ovoviviparous livebearers whose pallial oviduct has become a uterine brood pouch, releasing one fully shelled juvenile at a time. Newborns of some genus members reach almost 2 cm, among the largest live-born gastropods, and graze independently once they leave the calcareous capsule.
Common Challenges
The very low birth rate and long intervals between offspring test the keeper's patience. Soft or unstable water harms the shell and suppresses breeding. Keep clear of loaches, pufferfish and assassin snails.