Not furry either, still lovely.
Malaysian Trumpet Snail
Melanoides tuberculata
Also called MTS, Red-rimmed melania, Malayan livebearing snail
From Native to northern Africa and southern Asia; now found in warm fresh waters in many parts of the world.1
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Wikipedia gives typical shell lengths of 20-36 mm, rarely up to 80 mm; Fishkeeping World says aquarium adults reach about 2.5 cm.
Fishkeeping World gives around 2 years, possibly more in good conditions.
Looks how to spot one
Long cone-shaped shell
A slim snail with a tall, pointed, tower-like shell of 10-15 whorls. The shell is usually light brown with rusty flecks, though some populations are much darker.1
Personality what they are like
Very peaceful. It spends the day buried in the sand or gravel and comes up at night to graze and scavenge.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Low; it burrows through the substrate and roams the surface after dark.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Easy care. Feed lightly to keep numbers in check, and use a sandy or fine gravel bottom it can dig into.2
Home where they are happiest
Fishkeeping World suggests a small group can live in about 19 litres (5 US gallons) or more, at about 21-27 °C (70-80 °F) and pH 7.0-7.5. Wikipedia notes the species tolerates a broad range of 18-32 °C and even brackish water. Soft sand or fine gravel.12
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Eats algae, biofilm, detritus and leftover fish food in the substrate. Extra vegetables such as blanched spinach, lettuce, cucumber or broccoli are taken readily.12
Company who they like around
Fine alone or in groups and safe with peaceful fish, shrimp and plants.2
The story where it all began
Described by O. F. Müller in 1774, this snail comes from warm regions of Africa and Asia. Through the aquarium trade it spread widely, and in the hobby it is valued for keeping the substrate loose and clean.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Babies are born live: the mother keeps developing young in a brood pouch and releases fully formed miniature snails.1
- 2
Females can reproduce without a male.1
- 3
Some wild populations near the Sea of Galilee have dark, almost black shells that may help with camouflage.1
- 4
It copes with water from fresh right up to quite salty, around 32 parts per thousand.1
Recognised by the official bits
- Taxonomy (via Wikipedia)
- Melanoides tuberculata (O. F. Müller, 1774), family Thiaridae.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Malaysian Trumpet Snail. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amountsevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeSmall, gentle water changesevery week
- Water testevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Melanoides tuberculata - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, taxonomy, shell, size, habitat, diet, reproduction
- Malaysian Trumpet Snail care guide - Fishkeeping World fishkeepingworld.comused for lifespan, tank size, parameters, diet, behaviour
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.