Ramshorn Snails – 6 Pack, Natural Cleanup Crew for Planted Tanks
Its place in your tank: small, hardy cleanup crew for leftovers, algae and dead leaves.
A small cleanup crew that works around the clock
Ramshorn snails are small, easygoing snails with a flat, coiled shell that grows to about 1 inch. They move over plants, glass and sand eating algae, decaying leaves and leftover food, and they are a long-time favorite in natural planted tanks and shrimp tanks.
The problem
Leftover food and dying leaves rot when nothing eats them, and that waste feeds algae. A tank with no cleanup crew leaves you doing the cleaning.
How it fits the Father Fish Method
Father Fish has kept fish for more than 70 years, and his method has helped thousands of aquarists build tanks that run on biology instead of bottles. A layer of living soil (Aqua Preta Complete Substrate) sits under a sand cap, the tank is planted heavily from day one, and the plants, soil and tiny life in them keep the water balanced without chemicals. Ramshorns are part of the cleanup crew in a living tank: they break down leftovers and dead plant matter so the soil and plants can use it, and their numbers rise and fall with how much spare food there is.
Your plan
- Get the tank ready. Use a planted tank of 5 gallons or more that has run for a few weeks. Skip puffers, loaches and other snail-eating fish.
- Acclimate slowly. Invertebrates are more sensitive than fish to sudden water changes. With the lights off, float the bag, then drip-acclimate over at least 60 minutes. Move them into the tank by hand or net and never pour bag water in.
- Keep them in balance. Do not overfeed the tank. Ramshorns breed in freshwater, and the colony grows only as large as the spare food allows.
What you get
- 10 ramshorn snails
Care at a glance
- Adult size: up to about 1 inch
- Minimum tank: 5 gallons
- pH: 6.5–8.0
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Diet: Algae, detritus, leftover food, blanched vegetables and sinking wafers
- Breeding: Breeds in freshwater; numbers follow the food supply
- Difficulty: Easy
Why it matters
Waste that nobody eats turns into algae. A small ramshorn crew in a living tank turns it back into plant food.
FAQ
- Will they take over my tank? Only if there is a lot of spare food. Feed lightly and the colony stays in balance.
- Will they eat my plants? They prefer algae, biofilm and dead or melting leaves over healthy plants.
- Are they shrimp-safe? Yes. They are a classic shrimp-tank companion.
- What pH do they need? Anything from 6.5 to 8.0. Harder water keeps their shells smooth.
Shipping and live arrival guarantee
Live animals ship UPS 2nd Day Air, Monday to Wednesday only, so they never sit in a depot over a weekend. We may hold an order for up to a week so the animals are fully settled before they travel. If an animal arrives dead, email us clear photos of it in the unopened bag within 2 hours of delivery and we will make it right.
