Types of Aquarium Snails

Snails are mollusks and have a shell to protect their bodies. They can be a helpful addition to an aquarium, cleaning algae and debris, or an unwanted pest that pollutes water and overpopulates. Common types can be bought or may show up unexpectedly when eggs are attached to new aquarium plants.

  1. Apple Snail

    • Apple snails are popular and ferocious plant and algae eaters that grow to 6 inches. Carnivorous fish will pick at and eat them, so they should be kept in aquariums containing only small fish.

    Ramshorn Snail

    • Ramshorns have a spiral shell resembling a ram's horn, eat plant matter and algae, and have ornate shells in red, black and patterned colors. They grow to 1 inch and are hermaphroditic reproducers.

    Trumpet Snail

    • Trumpets have a spiral shell and help maintain water quality by feeding on debris within an aquarium's substrate rather than algae. They are typically considered pests that overpopulate and are not sold. They might appear in a tank when new plants are put in.

    Pond Snail

    • The pond snail is a hermaphroditic reproducer that grows to 2 inches, has a football-shaped shell and is common in ponds. It eats some algae, but will pollute the tank water because it reproduces rapidly. Fish eat pond snails.

    Mystery Snail

    • Mystery snails are tropical snails that are usually sold as apple snails, but in pets stores will be different colors and species. The eat algae and need heated water. They go dormant and will appear to be dead by floating and lying motionless at the bottom of a tank.