Melanoides tuberculata
The clean-up crew that lives in the substrate. Aerates the gravel, eats detritus, and stays invisible during the day. Breeds via cloning so a single snail can start a colony, also why some aquarists call them a pest.
Malaysian Trumpet Snail (Melanoides tuberculata) is an aquarium snail in family Thiaridae, native to Southeast Asia (introduced worldwide). Adults reach 2–3 cm; minimum tank 10 L. Target 18–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.0, 6–18 dGH, 4–12 dKH. Shell calcium demand: medium. Diet: detritivore, Sifts through substrate eating uneaten food and decaying organic matter. Self-sustaining, does not need supplemental feeding in any established tank. Breeding: Parthenogenetic livebearer, every snail is female and breeds without a mate. Population grows quickly but stays out of sight in the substrate. Comes out at night. Algae-eating rating: 1/5. Plant-safe: Yes, never eats live plants. Tank mates: Most community fish. Loaches and assassin snails will hunt them.
Care at a glance
The clean-up crew that lives in the substrate. Aerates the gravel, eats detritus, and stays invisible during the day. Breeds via cloning so a single snail can start a colony, also why some aquarists call them a pest.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete planted-aquarium guide.
The parameters that decide whether malaysian trumpet snail fits in your tank.
Thiaridae
Detritivore
Sifts through substrate eating uneaten food and decaying organic matter. Self-sustaining, does not need supplemental feeding in any established tank.
Parthenogenetic livebearer, every snail is female and breeds without a mate. Population grows quickly but stays out of sight in the substrate. Comes out at night.
1–2 yrs
Medium
Yes, never eats live plants
Southeast Asia (introduced worldwide)
Southeast Asia (introduced worldwide)
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Minimum tank: 10 L. Malaysian Trumpet Snail (Melanoides tuberculata) reach 2–3 cm as adults.
Target 18–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.0, 6–18 dGH, and 4–12 dKH. Shell calcium demand is medium, supplement with cuttlebone or a mineral stone if your water is soft.
Plant safety: Yes, never eats live plants. Malaysian Trumpet Snail are detritivore, Sifts through substrate eating uneaten food and decaying organic matter. Self-sustaining, does not need supplemental feeding in any established tank.
Tank mates: Most community fish. Loaches and assassin snails will hunt them.
Algae-eating rating: 1/5. Sifts through substrate eating uneaten food and decaying organic matter. Self-sustaining, does not need supplemental feeding in any established tank.
Parthenogenetic livebearer, every snail is female and breeds without a mate. Population grows quickly but stays out of sight in the substrate. Comes out at night.
Typical lifespan: 1–2 years in a stable, well-maintained tank.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this snail with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
