Rabbit Snail

Tylomelania zemis

Also known as: Sulawesi snail, Elephant snail, Tylomelania

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 24–28°C
• pH: 7–8.5
• Hardness (GH): 143–357 ppm (8–20 dGH)

Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.

Care Summary

Increasingly popular as a peaceful, hardworking, slow-breeding alternative to other freshwater snails. The 'rabbit' name comes from their long facial tentacles that give them an unmistakable appearance, like nothing else in the hobby. Active throughout the day, unlike many snail species, and will burrow into substrate to forage. Require hard alkaline water for healthy shell growth (matching naturally hard Australian tap water in most regions). Slow-breeding means a single rabbit snail will not turn into dozens, a real plus for keepers tired of population explosions. The largest of the commonly-kept aquarium snails. That shell health is really about carbonate hardness (KH) and calcium: in soft, low-KH acidic water the long shell erodes and weakens, so keep the KH up.

Tankmates

Significantly larger than other freshwater snail species, with distinctive elongated 'rabbit ear' antennae that give them their common name. Slow-moving and slow-breeding, with viviparous reproduction (live birth of one or two babies every 4-6 weeks rather than mass egg-laying like other snails). This means they cannot overrun a tank like nerites or mystery snails sometimes do. Will not eat live healthy plants; they strictly graze on algae and detritus. Compatible with most peaceful community species.

Compatible with

• Betta
• Neon Tetra
• Guppy
• Platy
• Harlequin Rasbora
• Bronze Corydoras
• Bristlenose Pleco
• Cherry Shrimp
• Mystery Snail
• Nerite Snail

Avoid keeping with

• Assassin Snail
• Pufferfish
• Loaches
• Large Cichlids

Common Problems

• shell erosion in soft water
• slow but steady population growth from viviparous breeding
• burrowing into delicate plant root systems
• predation by assassin snails or pufferfish

Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-06-06