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Photo: Rebelo, Tony, CC BY-SA 4.0

Malaysian Trumpet Snail

Melanoides tuberculata

Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed November 8, 2026

Absolute BeginnerFigures from specialist keeper sources

Beginner verdict

A small, cone-shaped snail that burrows through the substrate, stirring it and eating waste. It is useful and nearly unkillable, but one snail can start a colony because females can reproduce alone. Many keepers welcome them, but you should decide before adding plants that may carry them.

Care at a glance

Min tank size: 5 US gal
Temperature: 70–80 °F
pH: 7–7.5
Hardness: No figure published
Swim zone: Bottom
Min group: Single fish
Lifespan: About 2 years

Check your local rules on Malaysian Trumpet Snail

Official lists name this animal or its close relatives. Rules differ by place, so check the rules where you live before you buy or keep one.

Spain
Spain's catalogue of invasive alien species lists this snail by name, as Melanoides tuberculatus. The listing covers all of Spain, and it brings a general ban on keeping, transporting and selling live animals.
Source: Real Decreto 630/2013, consolidated text (BOE); Real Decreto 630/2013, consolidated text (BOE), article 7
Arkansas
Arkansas lists this snail, as red-rim melania (Melanoides tuberculata), as a prohibited aquatic species. Bringing in, selling, moving or keeping a live one is unlawful.
Source: Addendum J1.04, Prohibited Exotic Aquatic Species List (Arkansas Game and Fish Commission); Code 26.13, Certain Exotic Aquatic Species Prohibited (Arkansas Game and Fish Commission)
Idaho
Idaho's invasive species rules list red-rim melania (Melanoides tuberculata). Nobody may keep, bring in or move a listed invasive species in Idaho without a permit.
Source: IDAPA 02.06.09, Rules Governing Invasive Species and Noxious Weeds; IDAPA 02.06.09, Rules Governing Invasive Species and Noxious Weeds
North Carolina
North Carolina's rule on possessing certain fishes names this snail as red-rim melania, and the state's wildlife commission says keeping anything on that list is unlawful. The official copy of the rule is not served over a secure connection, so we link the commission's page.
Source: Nongame possession and collection (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission)
South Dakota
South Dakota lists red rimmed melania (Melanoides tuberculata) as an aquatic invasive species, and state law bans keeping, bringing in or moving one. None of the listed exemptions is for home aquariums.
Source: ARSD 41:10:04:01, List of aquatic invasive species; SDCL 41-13A-2, Aquatic invasive species prohibitions
Utah
Utah's aquatic species table classifies red-rimmed melania (Melanoides tuberculata) as a prohibited species.
Source: Rule R657-3c, aquatic species classification (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
Wisconsin
Wisconsin's invasive species rule puts the Malaysian trumpet snail in its prohibited category.
Source: Wisconsin Administrative Code, NR 40.04; Wisconsin Administrative Code, NR 40.04

Never release aquarium animals or plants into the wild, including into ponds, rivers or drains.

This is general information, not legal advice. We last checked these lists on 4 November 2026, and the US state lists on 8 November 2026. Our US state aquarium rules table shows every state, including the ones whose lists we could not read. We did not check Spanish regional rules, and other countries have their own.

Malaysian Trumpet Snail care mistakes to avoid

Expect large numbers, because females can reproduce without a male.
Control numbers by feeding less, since the population follows the food supply.
Check new plants, which often carry baby snails into your tank.
Avoid puffers if you value your snails, and assassin snails too.

Malaysian Trumpet Snail tank mates

Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Glowlight Tetra
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Harlequin Rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Lambchop Rasbora
Trigonostigma espei

Common tank-mate questions

Can Bettas Live With Snails?

How to feed

Let them eat leftovers, algae and waste in the substrate.
Do not feed them directly in most tanks, because they find plenty on their own.
Add small amounts of blanched vegetables if the colony looks hungry.

Malaysian Trumpet Snail FAQ

What size tank do Malaysian Trumpet Snails need?

Our sourced minimum is 5 US gallons (19 liters). A bigger, mature tank is always easier to keep stable.

What can live with Malaysian Trumpet Snails?

Good matches on our list include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra and Black Neon Tetra. Avoid German Blue Ram and Pea Puffer.

How long do Malaysian Trumpet Snails live?

Care guides report about 2 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.

Are Malaysian trumpet snails pests?

It depends on your goal. They help aerate sand and clean up waste, but they reproduce quickly and are hard to remove once established.

Where to buy Malaysian Trumpet Snail

We have not found a store that sells Malaysian Trumpet Snail under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.

Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).

Not allowed without a permit in: Arkansas, Idaho, North Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and Wisconsin (see the note above)

Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.

Complete the tank

The essentials for a small, gently filtered tank.

Shop in:

Tank size for this species
At least 5 US gallons (19 L)
Filter
Air-driven sponge filter
Gentle flow that small fish and long fins can handle, plus a safe home for good bacteria.
- Aquarium Co-Op Coarse Sponge Filter (Small) US
  Check the voltage: this filter runs from an air pump, which plugs in. Mains power is about 120 V in the US and about 230 V in Spain, so choose a pump sold for your own country.
  Maker's page
- Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter US
  Check the voltage: this model is listed for the US. Mains power is about 120 V in the US and about 230 V in Spain, so do not assume it suits another country.
  Maker's page
- Tetra Brillant Filter Spain
  Check the voltage: this filter runs from an air pump, which plugs in. Mains power is about 120 V in the US and about 230 V in Spain, so choose a pump sold for your own country.
  Maker's page
- Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter Spain
  Check the voltage: this model is listed for Spain. Mains power is about 120 V in the US and about 230 V in Spain, so do not assume it suits another country.
  Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 10-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Heater
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 25 W at 5 gallons, 50 W at 10
Keeps a small tank stable. Adjustable models let you set the temperature your species needs. Size up for a cold room.
- Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater US
  Check the voltage: this model is listed for the US. Mains power is about 120 V in the US and about 230 V in Spain, so do not assume it suits another country.
  Maker's page
- Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 50 W US
  Check the voltage: this model is listed for the US. Mains power is about 120 V in the US and about 230 V in Spain, so do not assume it suits another country.
  Maker's page
- Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater Spain
  Check the voltage: this model is listed for Spain. Mains power is about 120 V in the US and about 230 V in Spain, so do not assume it suits another country.
  Maker's page · Sold at zooplus.es
- Eheim Thermocontrol e 50 Heater Spain
  Check the voltage: this model is listed for Spain. Mains power is about 120 V in the US and about 230 V in Spain, so do not assume it suits another country.
  Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 10-Gallon Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water Conditioner
Dechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
- Seachem Prime US
  Maker's page · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply
- Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
  Maker's page
- API Betta Water Conditioner US
  Maker's page
- sera aquatan Spain
  Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal
- Tetra AquaSafe Spain
  Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test Kit
Liquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
- API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
  Maker's page · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply
- API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
  Maker's page · Sold at The Shrimp Farm · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply
- sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
  Maker's page
- JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
  Maker's page
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.

Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.