Species profile
Malaysian Trumpet Snail
Melanoides tuberculata
Peaceful
Easy care
20 L minimum aquarium
2–3 cm adult size
Bottom
Can be kept singly
About this species
General notes for hobby use.
Burrowing Malaysian Trumpet Snail. Useful substrate grazer but capable of explosive population growth with excess food.
Water parameters
Suggested general range for long-term care.
Temperature
20–28 °C
pH
6.5–8.5
GH
5–20 dGH
KH
Not yet documented
Flow preference
Low
Data confidence
Verified
Behaviour
General behaviour traits used by TanksConnected compatibility checks.
Minimum group size
Can be kept singly
Tank zone
Bottom
Territory level
None
Predation risk
None
Bioload factor
0.08
Mostly burrows through substrate by day and emerges to graze, especially after dark. Dense populations are primarily a food-availability problem rather than an aggression problem.
Compatibility flags
Quick cautions for common tank-planning issues.
Fin nipper
No
Plant safe
Yes
Shrimp safe
Yes
Snail safe
Yes
Cave breeder
No
Digs substrate
Yes
Jump risk
Low
Natural history & care
Research-backed context for long-term aquarium care.
Lifespan
Not yet documented
Diet type
Omnivore
Minimum aquarium volume
20 L
Minimum footprint
30 × 20 cm
Accepted scientific name
Melanoides tuberculata
Alternative names
Malaysian Trumpet Snail, Red-rim Melania, Melanoides tuberculata
Native range
Broad native range across tropical/subtropical Africa, the Middle East and Asia, with extensive introductions worldwide.
Natural habitat
Fresh and mildly brackish slow waters with soft sediments. Fine sand/gravel allows normal burrowing and substrate-turning behaviour.
Diet & feeding
Detritivore/algae/biofilm grazer consuming organic debris and leftover foods. Population growth is strongly driven by surplus feeding.
Breeding & sexing
Research-backed guidance for identifying sexes and reproductive behaviour.
Sexing
Sexing is not useful for normal aquarium management; many introduced/aquarium populations are predominantly or entirely female.
Breeding
Many aquarium populations reproduce parthenogenetically and are ovoviviparous/livebearing, allowing rapid population growth without an obvious male.