What Do Ramshorn Snails Look Like?
Planorbarius corneus are small creatures, with adults typically no larger than 1 inch in size.
Ramshorn snails are named for their distinctive shell shape, which is helical in appearance and may feature lines or a patterned mottling.
The shells can take on a variety of colors, from brown to red or yellow, to light blue or purple.
Ramshorn snails also have two tentacles that feature eyes at the end, and a foot for locomotion.
Benefits Of Using Ramshorn Snails
Ramshorn snails are beneficial tank inhabitants in several ways.
For one, they work hard to keep the tank clean by eating algae and any uneaten food that settles to the bottom.
Additionally, their waste adds much-needed nutrients to the water, which helps to promote plant growth.
They can also actively help the oxygen cycle. As filter-feeders, Ramshorn snails use the water to extract oxygen, which adds to the overall tank environment.
Lastly, their sociable personalities help to socialize with other tank mates as well as provide adequate entertainment for their aquarium keepers.
Ramshorn Snail Facts
Ramshorn Snails are beloved members of the freshwater aquatic community due to their small size and diverse diet.
They are gentle by nature and subsist mostly on algae, which makes them great algae eaters.
With a lifespan of around a year, they can quickly reproduce under the right care and conditions, making them easy additions to any aquatic vivarium.
Habitat
Planorbarius corneus are members of the Planorbidae family and are named for the spiral shape of their shells.
While the exact origins and species of these snails are unknown, many believe they have been around for millions of years.
They have a widespread distribution and can be found in ponds, lakes, rivers, and other freshwater habitats in most temperate climates.
They are a hardy species that can tolerate a range of water conditions, although they do best in soft, basic water with a pH between 7 and 8 and temperatures between 18 and 26°C.
Diet
Ramshorn snails are often found in pristine freshwater sources, where they feed on algae, bacteria, and other decaying organic matter.
The snails’ diet consists mainly of detritus, which is broken-down plant and animal material.
Algae can provide important nutrition to snails, and because of this, they are known as great “algae eaters”.
They will also scavenge on dead or dying plant material or fish waste, as well as eat broken-down plant material (such as leaves and moss).
In the wild, Ramshorn snails have been known to feed on insect larvae as well.
Temperament
Planorbarius corneus are peaceful, gentle creatures that can be around humans and other animals without causing any harm.
In the wild, these snails are generally reclusive and avoid contact with larger or more active animals.
However, when kept in an aquarium, Ramshorn snails can become rather bold and even friendly with their tank mates.
If kept in an adequate environment with other compatible species, Ramshorn snails will show signs of curiosity and even exploration when sorting through their tank environment.
Overall, Ramshorn snails are quite non-aggressive and timid creatures that are well-suited to most environments.
Lifespan
Ramshorn snails have a lifespan of up to one year. However, their life cycle is a bit more complex and can take up to four months.
The life cycle begins with a male and female Ramshorn snail mating.
The result of the mating is the female laying eggs, which can be either released into the water or attached to plants or surfaces.
After hatching, the young snails look like miniature adults and can feed on algae and detritus right away.
As the young snails reach maturity, they will begin to reproduce and the cycle continues.
You may notice a decrease in the number of snails over time due to natural causes such as predation, disease, or lack of food.
Breeding
Ramshorn snails, like most other snails, mate and reproduce through sexual reproduction.
This usually occurs during the night or in the early hours of the morning.
When mating, Planorbarius corneus will come together and one snail will insert its mating tube into the other’s genital area.
After this interchange has occurred, the snails will part and the snail which received the tube will lay its eggs in the water 10-14 days later.
The laying of the eggs may occur either on the substrate or on aquatic plants in an aquarium.
Ramshorn snails are producers of both male and female reproductive cells, but typically up to 8 snails are needed for successful mating.
Given the right conditions, these adult Ramshorn Snails can lay eggs of their own within a couple of months.
Where To Find Ramshorn Snails
Finding Ramshorn Snails in the wild is relatively easy, as they are found all over the world in all fresh waters, ranging from slow-flowing rivers to fast-moving streams and even large lakes.
Ramshorn snails can also often be found along the edge of garden ponds or even in rainwater barrels.
If you’d like to buy Ramshorn Snails, they can often be found at local pet stores or even online, depending on where you live.
Ramshorn snails can be purchased singularly or in groups, which I recommend as they are social snails.
