Red Ramshorn
Planorbella duryi
Also known as: Ramshorn Snail, Blue Ramshorn, Pink Ramshorn
A peaceful, easy-to-keep snail that comes in surprisingly vivid color forms.
About
The ramshorn snail (Planorbella duryi) is one of those unassuming little creatures that earns its place in almost any freshwater setup. Named for the flat, coiled shape of its shell, which does look a fair bit like a ram's horn when viewed from the side, this species is native to Florida but has been distributed worldwide through the aquarium trade. What makes it particularly interesting to hobbyists is the range of color forms that have been selectively bred over the years: red, pink, and blue variants are all available, with the coloration coming from the snail's body and blood showing through the shell rather than from pigment in the shell itself. In the aquarium, ramshorns are industrious little cleaners, grazing on algae, biofilm, and decaying plant matter. They are genuinely peaceful and will not bother fish or healthy plants, though they may nibble on leaves that are already dying back. Populations can grow quickly if food is plentiful, so keeping an eye on feeding levels helps manage numbers. This is a forgiving and genuinely useful addition to a community tank, and a great starting point for anyone curious about keeping freshwater invertebrates.
Similar species
Other invertebrate you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Red Ramshorn
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- What water parameters does the Red Ramshorn need?
- The Red Ramshorn does best with a temperature of 65–82°F, a pH of 6.5–8, hardness around 4–18 dGH.
- Is the Red Ramshorn aggressive?
- The Red Ramshorn is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Red Ramshorn eat?
- The Red Ramshorn is a herbivore. It needs a plant-based diet such as algae, blanched vegetables, or spirulina-based foods.