Rabbit Snail — Tylomelania gemmifera: Habitat and Care

Tylomelania gemmifera is an accepted Lake Matano species, originally described as Melania gemmifera. Its tall brown to black shell has conspicuous, relatively widely spaced axial ribs. The scientific review describes yellow spots or blotches on the head-foot, yellow-striped tentacles and a yellow snout. An entirely orange body advertised under a colour name does not by itself establish this identity.

Many Tylomelania species occur in Sulawesi, and the general rabbit-snail label covers different animals. Ask for a traceable source and keep the supplier's identification record. Images and shell comparisons can support recognition, but this article does not claim that every commercial specimen can be authenticated from a single attractive photograph.

Plan a steady 27–28°C, pH around 7.5–8.2 and a consistent mineral recipe. GH 6–10°dGH and KH 4–6°dKH are a moderate working plan within published keeping advice, not an instruction to make the water extremely hard. The alkaline appearance of Sulawesi care charts should not be confused with unlimited calcium or salt dosing.

Measure the prepared water before use and match replacements carefully. If using RO, add a suitable freshwater mineral preparation according to its instructions and check what it produces. Keep biological filtration and oxygenation effective: warm water makes attention to gas exchange particularly worthwhile. Maintain undetectable ammonia and nitrite and avoid sudden large shifts when introducing animals or correcting a reading.

The scientific description notes erosion of older upper whorls in adult specimens. An old worn apex alone is therefore not proof of a recent aquarium failure. Inspect the fresh margin and compare changes over time. Active pitting, thinning or weak new shell still warrants checks of water chemistry, nutrition and physical damage.

Do not abrade old shell or try to restore its appearance with household products. Maintain suitable water and a balanced diet, and assess whether another inhabitant is damaging the snail. Mineral-rich water does not mean repeatedly adding unmeasured supplements. Existing damage can remain visible while later growth improves; no botanical product guarantees that an old shell becomes pristine.

This snail is not a hunter of healthy fish or shrimp, but compatibility must include temperature and water needs. Selected peaceful warm-water inhabitants can fit; a cool community or a very acidic soft-water shrimp colony may not. Check that faster feeders leave usable food and that fish do not repeatedly nip the foot or tentacles.

Avoid snail-eating fish, crayfish and assassin snails. Keep shell-sized turning spaces rather than using the young animal's current size as the permanent design limit. A small group can be maintained when floor area and food support it, but no mandatory social minimum is inferred from seeing animals together. Mixed rabbit-snail shipments also complicate breeding and identity records.

Sexes are separate, and external appearance is not a dependable way to select a breeding pair. Females retain developing shelled embryos internally. The primary review documents embryos within brood pouches; this is not a species that scatters an aerial pink clutch or requires nerite-style planktonic larvae to be raised at sea.

Developed young can begin life in freshwater near the adults, provided food, water and protection are suitable. Do not promise a baby every fixed number of weeks, infer brood output from the number of embryos in a preserved female, or assume a newly purchased female was unmated. Use protected filter inlets and observe small juveniles carefully before moving sand or siphoning the feeding area.

Sparse prepared leaves and a few broad pieces of wood can diversify the aquarium without covering the sand. Place them where they can be lifted and inspected, and keep their role modest. A deep, dark, decomposing forest floor is not required to make a Lake Matano snail feel at home.

Water tint does not replace measurements. If botanical additions shift the intended water plan or create excessive organic demand, adjust the material and maintenance rather than adding more to chase an image. Robust plants can be placed around the open floor; check actual feeding behaviour rather than promising that every plant will remain untouched in every aquarium.

For persistent inactivity, first check heater operation, temperature, oxygenation, ammonia, nitrite, food access and recent chemical exposure. A large snail can be hidden behind the wood, so inspect gently before assuming it has died. Do not drag an attached animal by its shell or force an operculum open to test it.

Keep a simple record of feeding and new shell growth. Seek traceable captive stock where available because this is a lake-restricted animal, not an unlimited generic cleaning supply. Do not attach a current conservation category to an unverified colour form, release unwanted snails or mix geographical stocks casually. An honest identity and a stable, observable aquarium are more valuable than a dramatic label.