Great Ramshorn Snail

The great ramshorn snail is one of the largest ramshorn snails, living in the still, planted fresh waters of Europe and Western Asia. Its flat coiled shell with thick whorls can exceed 3 cm. Wild individuals have a dark olive-brown shell and a dark gray body; a form whose body looks red is also found in the hobby. Because it likes cool water, it is suitable for garden ponds and unheated aquariums. It is a hermaphrodite and breeds easily.

• 30 liters or more for a few individuals; it can also overwinter in a pond.
• 15–22°C is ideal; its lifespan shortens if kept above 25°C for long periods.
• pH 7 or higher, moderately hard to hard water; calcium for the shell.
• Avoid products containing copper.

Omnivorous. It eats leftover food, dead plant matter, algae and biofilm; supplement with sinking tablets and blanched vegetables. If it goes hungry it may nibble soft plants.

Completely peaceful; it leaves fish and shrimp alone. If there is too much food its population grows quickly; it is controlled by feeding sparingly.

Good companions: goldfish and other coldwater fish, peaceful community fish, shrimp.

Avoid: snail-eating fish (clown loach, pufferfish), assassin snails, crayfish.