About the species

The Malaysian trumpet snail is a nocturnal burrower with a narrow, pointed tower shell that moves in and on the sand. It eats detritus and leftovers and keeps the substrate turned over, which stops sludge from compacting and anaerobic pockets from forming. During the day it is often completely buried.

Facts

• Latin name: Melanoides tuberculata
• Common name: Malaysian Trumpet Snail
• Size: Up to 3 cm
• Lifespan: 1–3 years

Behavior

Malaysian Trumpet Snail is a nocturnal trumpet snail that burrows through the substrate and keeps it aerated and turned over. During the day it is often completely buried. It is peaceful towards shrimp, fish and plants, and does its best work in a sand bed where it stops sludge from compacting.

Reproduction

• The species is livebearing and reproduces without a partner
• A female produces a few young per week when food is plentiful
• The population follows the food supply — feed moderately to keep numbers down

Feeding

Malaysian Trumpet Snail is a detritus feeder and feeds on:

• Organic sludge in the substrate
• Leftover food and spilled feed
• Dead plant material

Extra food is normally unnecessary, but in sparsely stocked tanks:

• Sinking food tablets
• Blanched vegetables
• Catappa leaves

Aquarium

• Minimum aquarium size: 20 litres
• Substrate: Sand or fine gravel — it burrows

Difficulty level

🟢 Easy

Recommendation

This is a working snail rather than an ornament, and it does its best work in aquariums with a sand bed. Bear in mind that it reproduces without a partner and can become numerous in overfed tanks — feed moderately and numbers stabilise on their own.