Malaysian Trumpet Snail

Malaysian Trumpet Snail (Melanoides tuberculata) – Substrate-Sifting Powerhouse for a Healthy Aquarium

The Malaysian Trumpet Snail is a small but highly effective member of the freshwater clean-up crew, prized for its unique ability to burrow through substrate. With a sleek, cone-shaped shell and nocturnal habits, this snail stays active beneath the surface, helping to break down leftover food, plant waste, and detritus while aerating the substrate. This natural behavior prevents the build-up of toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide, making the tank safer for fish, shrimp, and plant roots.

Malaysian Trumpet Snails are ideal for planted and community tanks, and their constant digging improves substrate health and circulation. However, they reproduce asexually, meaning even a single snail can lead to a population boom if overfeeding occurs—making portion control key to responsible snail keeping.

Key Features:
✔️ Excellent substrate cleaner, helps prevent toxic gas build-up
✔️ Naturally aerates substrate, promoting healthy plant root systems
✔️ Hardy and beginner-friendly, thrives in a wide range of conditions
✔️ Peaceful and compatible with fish, shrimp, and other snails
✔️ Active burrower, works below the surface where most cleaners don’t

Care Tips:
🌡️ Water Temperature: 20–28°C (68–82°F)
📏 Tank Size: Minimum 20 litres recommended
🥦 Diet: Leftover food, plant waste, sinking pellets, algae wafers (avoid overfeeding to prevent population spikes)
💧 Water Conditions: pH 6.5–8.0, moderate hardness

Important Notes:
Malaysian Trumpet Snails can reproduce without a mate, so it’s crucial not to overfeed. A surplus of food can lead to overpopulation, which increases bioload and may cause algae issues. While clean-up crews like these snails are excellent for supporting a balanced tank, they are not a substitute for proper maintenance and water quality management.

Eco Warning:
If snail populations need to be controlled, never release unwanted snails or eggs into natural waterways. Always dispose of excess snails or their offspring responsibly.

Add Malaysian Trumpet Snails to your aquarium for a hardworking, low-maintenance clean up crew that improves substrate health and supports a thriving aquatic environment!

Check out a video of them here