Tylomelania zemis
Slow-moving display snail with a long conical shell, prominent antennae, and a face that looks more rabbit than mollusc. Yellow, orange, white, black, and chocolate variants. Strict on warm hard alkaline water.
Rabbit Snail (Tylomelania zemis) is an aquarium snail in family Pachychilidae, native to Indonesia (Sulawesi lakes). Adults reach 4–10 cm; minimum tank 40 L. Target 25–30 °C, pH 7.5–8.5, 8–18 dGH, 6–12 dKH. Shell calcium demand: high. Diet: omnivore, Grazes algae, soft biofilm, and fallen food. Feed sinking pellets, blanched vegetables, and a calcium supplement (cuttlebone or wonder shell) for shell health. Breeding: Livebearer with extremely low reproductive rate, one young snail in a calcium-coated egg every 4–6 weeks per adult. Never a population problem. Algae-eating rating: 2/5. Plant-safe: Yes (will sample soft new growth occasionally). Tank mates: Peaceful warm-water community. Sulawesi shrimp share their preferred conditions.
Care at a glance
Slow-moving display snail with a long conical shell, prominent antennae, and a face that looks more rabbit than mollusc. Yellow, orange, white, black, and chocolate variants. Strict on warm hard alkaline water.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete planted-aquarium guide.
The parameters that decide whether rabbit snail fits in your tank.
Pachychilidae
Omnivore
Grazes algae, soft biofilm, and fallen food. Feed sinking pellets, blanched vegetables, and a calcium supplement (cuttlebone or wonder shell) for shell health.
Livebearer with extremely low reproductive rate, one young snail in a calcium-coated egg every 4–6 weeks per adult. Never a population problem.
3–5 yrs
High
Yes (will sample soft new growth occasionally)
Indonesia (Sulawesi lakes)
Indonesia (Sulawesi lakes)
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: 40 L. Rabbit Snail (Tylomelania zemis) reach 4–10 cm as adults.
Target 25–30 °C, pH 7.5–8.5, 8–18 dGH, and 6–12 dKH. Shell calcium demand is high, supplement with cuttlebone or a mineral stone if your water is soft.
Plant safety: Yes (will sample soft new growth occasionally). Rabbit Snail are omnivore, Grazes algae, soft biofilm, and fallen food. Feed sinking pellets, blanched vegetables, and a calcium supplement (cuttlebone or wonder shell) for shell health.
Tank mates: Peaceful warm-water community. Sulawesi shrimp share their preferred conditions.
Algae-eating rating: 2/5. Grazes algae, soft biofilm, and fallen food. Feed sinking pellets, blanched vegetables, and a calcium supplement (cuttlebone or wonder shell) for shell health.
Livebearer with extremely low reproductive rate, one young snail in a calcium-coated egg every 4–6 weeks per adult. Never a population problem.
Typical lifespan: 3–5 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.
