Perfecta Rabbit Snail care guide
Perfecta Rabbit Snail (Tylomelania perfecta) — minimum tank 60 L, temperature 26-30 °C, pH 7.5-8.5.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Perfecta Rabbit Snail (Tylomelania perfecta) is a large freshwater snail of the family Pachychilidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an intermediate-level species. Tylomelania species with white-spotted black body, distinctive starry pattern. Sulawesi endemic.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pachychilidae
- Genus: Tylomelania
- Scientific name: Tylomelania perfecta
- Common synonyms: Perfecta, Cream 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 Sulawesi (Indonesia).
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 Perfecta Rabbit Snail (Tylomelania perfecta)
Overview
Tylomelania perfecta is a rabbit snail endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, recognised by the pale spotting on its dark body. It is a member of the family Pachychilidae and, like the rest of the genus, is dioecious rather than hermaphroditic. It is a slow algae and biofilm grazer suited to warm, hard, alkaline lake water.
Reproduction follows the slow rabbit-snail pattern, with a single offspring at a time. Because the species is a Sulawesi endemic, captive breeding helps conserve wild stocks.
Sexing
Males and females look alike, so reliable sexing is not possible by eye and a single individual cannot breed. Keep several together to ensure both sexes are present; the arrival of juveniles confirms a working pair.
Conditioning
Stable chemistry and steady feeding condition the adults. They graze continuously and benefit from leaf litter. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero and nitrate low, and never expose them to soft water, which degrades 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
No separate breeding tank is required. A stable Sulawesi-style display with sand, hiding places and dim lighting is ideal. The reproduction trigger is simply hard, warm, alkaline, well-oxygenated water of excellent quality.
Reproduction & Young
Tylomelania are ovoviviparous: the uterine brood pouch formed from the pallial oviduct releases a single fully shelled juvenile at a time instead of clutches of eggs. Newly born juveniles of some species in the genus approach 2 cm, among the largest of any viviparous gastropod, and graze on their own once free of the calcareous capsule.
Common Challenges
The slow, one-at-a-time output is the main limitation, with long gaps between births. Soft or unstable water erodes the shell and stops breeding. Avoid loaches, pufferfish and assassin snails as tank mates.