Ramshorn snails: tips on keeping and food
In addition to ornamental fish, snails like the ramshorn snail are also very popular as aquarium inhabitants. Apart from the European species, the Californian ramshorn snail has become widespread in the aquarium hobby.
These small mollusks belong to the family Planorbidae and are known for their robustness, making them relatively easy to keep in aquariums.
Ramshorn Snail Profile:
- Scientific Name: Planorbarius corneus
- Origin: Europe and Siberia
- Size: Approximately 4 cm (shell diameter)
- Lifespan: 1 - 3 years
- Minimum Aquarium Size: 60 cm edge length
- Water Depth for Pond Keeping: At least 80 cm
- Recommended Water Temperature: 4 - 25 °C
- Diet: Omnivorous
Appearance of the Ramshorn Snail
Ramshorn snails have a flat shell with solid walls and can reach a diameter of about four centimeters. They are named after the shape of their shell, which resembles a ram's horn. Naturally, ramshorn snails are dark brown or reddish-black.
However, they are now bred in various colors. Besides inconspicuous colors, there are also very striking specimens. Pink and blue individuals, in particular, are readily available in almost any pet store. This makes ramshorn snails a real eye-catcher in any aquarium.
Lifespan of the Ramshorn Snail
The lifespan of the ramshorn snail is usually about one year. With good husbandry conditions, they can live up to three years.
Origin of the Ramshorn Snail
Ramshorn snails are distributed in various parts of the world. The European ramshorn snail inhabits calm rivers and lakes. Its range extends practically across the entire European continent and can also be found in southern Scandinavia and even Siberia.
Ramshorn snails prefer a muddy substrate and use it for overwintering in cold seasons.
In addition, there is the smaller Californian ramshorn snail, which has gained importance in the aquarium hobby and prefers slightly warmer temperatures than its European counterpart.
Keeping Ramshorn Snails
Ramshorn snails are relatively undemanding in terms of care, making them suitable for inexperienced aquarists. They can tolerate water temperatures from 4 to 25 degrees Celsius, but a temperature of at least 12 degrees Celsius is ideal for reproduction.
For keeping them in an aquarium, it is recommended to provide a tank with a minimum edge length of 60 centimeters. In some cases, a smaller tank may be sufficient, but it depends on whether and which tankmates the ramshorn snails have to share the aquarium with.
European ramshorn snails can also be easily kept in a garden pond and overwinter there. In this case, the pond should have a volume of at least 200 liters and a depth of at least 80 centimeters to prevent complete freezing during winter.
Caution with Acidic Water
Although ramshorn snails are generally undemanding, it is important to ensure that the water in their tank is not acidic, as it can damage the snail's shell.
Suitable Tankmates for Ramshorn Snails
Ramshorn snails can be kept together with various aquarium or pond inhabitants. Besides fish, this can include shrimp, for example. When choosing tankmates, it is important to ensure that they do not consider the ramshorn snail as potential prey. Therefore, various ornamental fish and small shrimp species are suitable for cohabitation.
Breeding Ramshorn Snails
Ramshorn snails are highly prolific under suitable conditions, making their breeding usually successful. Like many other snails, ramshorn snails are hermaphrodites and usually fertilize each other during mating. After laying eggs, it takes a few days for the young snails to hatch.
To provide suitable conditions for reproduction, water temperatures of at least 12 degrees Celsius and an adequate food supply are necessary. If these conditions are met, it is usually only a matter of time before you can enjoy the presence of new ramshorn snail offspring.
Diet of the Ramshorn Snail
Ramshorn snails are typical omnivores that consume both plant and animal matter. In their natural habitat, they primarily feed on dead plant parts, algae, and carrion found on the bottom of the water.
These feeding habits contribute to the ability of ramshorn snails to help keep the water clean in the aquarium. Besides algae and dead plants, they also consume leftover food from fish in the aquarium. This helps prevent water pollution and reduces health risks for the tank's inhabitants.
Overfeeding is Harmful to Ramshorn Snails
When feeding ramshorn snails, it is important to be mindful that overfeeding can lead to rapid population growth and imbalance in the delicate ecosystem of the aquarium.
Therefore, make sure not to provide excessive fish food for any fish present, and limit the amount of leftover food that reaches the ramshorn snails accordingly.
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