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Photo: Dat doris, CC BY-SA 4.0

Ramshorn Snail

Planorbella duryi

Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed November 8, 2026

Absolute BeginnerFigures from specialist keeper sources

Beginner verdict

A small, spiral-shelled snail in reds, pinks and blues that cleans up leftovers and dead plant matter. It is entirely peaceful, safe with shrimp, and very easy to keep. Numbers rise with the food supply, so feed lightly and it stays a helper rather than a pest.

Care at a glance

Min tank size: 5 US gal
Temperature: 72–82 °F
pH: 6.5–8
Hardness: No figure published
Swim zone: Bottom
Min group: Single fish
Lifespan: About 1 year

Check your local rules on Ramshorn 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.

Utah
Utah's aquatic species table lists every snail in the genus Planorbella as a controlled species. Utah needs a certificate of registration for educational, scientific or commercial use of a controlled species, and the rule we read does not say whether a home aquarium needs one.
Source: Rule R657-3c, aquatic species classification (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources); Rule R657-3c, aquatic species classification (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)

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.

Ramshorn Snail care mistakes to avoid

Feed lightly, because snail numbers grow with the amount of food.
Add calcium if your water is soft, or shells may thin and erode.
Expect eggs on glass and plants, since they breed readily.
Keep puffers and large cichlids away, as these will eat them.

Ramshorn Snail tank mates

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

Common tank-mate questions

Can Bettas Live With Snails?

How to feed

Let them clean up dead plant matter, algae and leftovers.
Add a calcium supplement such as cuttlebone in soft water.
Feed only lightly in community tanks, because they find plenty on their own.

Ramshorn Snail FAQ

What size tank do Ramshorn 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 Ramshorn Snails?

Good matches on our list include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra and Ember Tetra. Avoid Pea Puffer and Assassin Snail.

How long do Ramshorn Snails live?

Care guides report about 1 year. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.

Do ramshorn snails eat live plants?

Generally no. They prefer dead and dying leaves. If they seem to attack plants, that usually means the plant was already failing.

Where to buy Ramshorn Snail

We have not found a store that sells Ramshorn 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).

The rules are unclear in: Utah (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.