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InvertebrateFreshwaterEasy

Ramshorn Snail

Planorbella duryi

The classic Ramshorn Snail, a tireless consumer of algae and leftover organic waste. Can multiply quickly if food is abundant. Geographical Origin and Habitat: Planorbella duryi (often...

Taxonomy

Class:Gastropoda

Order:Hygrophila

Family:Planorbidae

Genus:Planorbella

Species:Planorbella duryi

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Water Temperature

15 - 30 °C

pH Value

6.5 - 8.5

Water type

Freshwater

Invertebrate type

Freshwater snail

Adult size

2 cm

Minimum group

>= 1

4 - 20 dGH

2 - 15 dKH

TDS

100 - 500 ppm

Ecological role

Scavenger

Copper sensitivity

High

Species description

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Planorbella duryi (often classified as *Helisoma duryi*) is native to North America, particularly Florida. It inhabits marshes, slow streams, ponds, and lakes rich in organic material and aquatic plants, showing tolerance to low dissolved oxygen levels.

Taxonomy: Belonging to the family Planorbidae, this snail features a flat, coiled shell resembling a ram's horn. Adults reach a shell diameter of 1.5-2.5 cm. It lacks an operculum and possesses a lung-like organ to breathe atmospheric oxygen.

Social Behavior: Peaceful, active, and bold. They crawl continuously on plants, driftwood, and glass. They are completely harmless to fish and dwarf shrimp. They are excellent clean-up crew members for community, shrimp, or nano aquariums.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The wild shell is brown, but popular aquarium strains include pink, red, blue, and spotted (leopard) varieties. They are simultaneous hermaphrodites but require cross-fertilization with another snail to reproduce; no sexual dimorphism exists.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Tank Setup: Highly adaptable, suitable for any tank size starting from 10 liters. Provide plants, driftwood, and rocks. They do not require a specific type of substrate and can live on sand, gravel, or bare bottoms. A covered tank is recommended.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous detritivores. They feed on soft green algae, diatoms, decaying plant matter, fish food remnants, and biofilm. They do not damage healthy plants unless they are starving, focusing instead on dead leaves.

Water Quality: Very hardy: temperature 15-28°C, pH 7.0-8.0, GH 8-20, and KH 4-12. In acidic or soft water, their shells will suffer from calcium depletion, turning white and brittle. Keep ammonia and nitrites at zero. Avoid copper-based treatments.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Safe with peaceful fish and shrimp. Avoid keeping them with snail predators such as Clea helena (which hunts them), loaches (Botiidae), pufferfish, and large aggressive cichlids.

Aquarium Breeding: Extremely easy and prolific. They lay flat, clear gelatinous egg clutches containing 10-20 eggs on glass, plants, and decorations. Young hatch in 10-14 days. Their population grows in direct proportion to available nutrients.

Risks and Diseases: Overpopulation is the most common issue, indicating overfeeding of the tank. Shell erosion in soft, acidic water due to lack of calcium. Highly sensitive to copper and chemical algaecides.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Planorbella duryi (often classified as *Helisoma duryi*) is native to North America, particularly Florida. It inhabits marshes, slow streams, ponds, and lakes rich in organic material and aquatic plants, showing tolerance to low dissolved oxygen levels.

Origin

Selective breeding and cultivarsNorth AmericaEast AsiaCosmopolitan or introduced

Invertebrate profile

Diet: Omnivore
Ecological role: Scavenger
Life expectancy: 1-2 years
Jump risk: No
Shock sensitivity: Extreme
Calcium and minerals: Medium
Molting: Yes
Reproduction: Oviparous
Compatibility & tankmates: Peaceful

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

Related species

Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.

Variants and close relatives

Same atlas type, nearby scientific identity, genus, or family.

Great ramshorn snail

Planorbarius corneus

Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates