How Do I Care for Spotted Rabbit Snails?

The spotted rabbit snail is one of several species of aquatic snails indigenous to Sulawesi, one of the larger islands of Indonesia. The rabbit species are characterized by long, cone-shaped shells that vary widely in color and pattern. Snails are slow and peaceful animals; they may be preyed upon if kept in an aquarium with fish and other sea life. Snails are most active at night, so keeping them in a low-light aquarium will offer the most opportunities for observing them in action.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • Aquarium filter
  • Aquarium plants, rocks and decorations
  • Thermometer
  • Water testing kit
  • Fish food (pellets, brine shrimp, leafy plants or lettuce)
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Instructions

  1. Habitat

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      Providing plentiful places to hide will encourage snails to be more active.

      Set up the aquarium with a filter, decorations and substrate. Though snails are able to live with a gravel substrate, sand is more natural and will allow them to occasionally burrow.

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      Decorate the aquarium generously. Snails, especially baby snails, thrive in a habitat that offers plenty of hiding places. Providing these will make for more active animals that will more readily breed.

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      Include live plants in the tank to provide an additional food source.

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      Test the water to make sure the pH level is between 7 and 8.5, and the water temperature is between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Feeding and Care

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      Feed spotted rabbit snails daily with fish flakes or pellets, as well as an occasional small lettuce leaf. If kept in an aquarium with fish, snails will thrive on any fish food or pellets their tank-mates leave behind. Built-up algae on the aquarium walls is also a food source.

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      Provide brine shrimp every so often as a high-protein treat.

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      Change the filter periodically so the water remains clear. Replacing one-fourth of the water in the tank once a month also will help keep the tank clean.

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      Monitor the temperature and pH levels weekly.

    Breeding

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      Populate the aquarium with at least four snails to increase the probability of both male and female snails; it is not possible to visually distinguish gender.

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      Isolate breeding stock from any other aquatic animals, which will discover and eat the snail eggs.

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      Monitor the breeding cycle, which is every two to four weeks, during which time the female will lay one white egg. This egg, having been incubated in the female's body, will hatch a fully formed baby snail about an hour after it has been laid.