Description
Orange Poso Rabbit Snail (Tylomelania gemmifera)
📌 Basic Info
Scientific Name: Tylomelania gemmifera
Family: Pachychilidae
Origin: Sulawesi, Indonesia (Lake Poso)
Size: 3 – 5 inches (7 – 12 cm)
Lifespan: 2 – 3 years (longer in stable tanks)
Tank Zone: Bottom dwellers
🌊 Water Parameters
TDS: 120 – 250 ppm
pH: 7.2 – 8.5 (prefer alkaline water)
Temperature: 24 – 30°C (75 – 86°F)
Hardness: 6 – 12 dGH
🐌 Characteristics
Long, conical shell with striking orange/yellow body.
Peaceful and slow-moving, does not bother tank mates.
Excellent detritus eater – cleans leftover food and waste.
Gives birth to a few live young (not hundreds of eggs like other snails).
Needs stable, clean water – sensitive to poor conditions.
🍽️ Food
Type: Omnivore with preference for plant matter.
Diet: Algae wafers, blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach, cucumber), sinking pellets, occasional protein (bloodworms, shrimp pellets).
Feeding: 1 small portion daily; remove uneaten food after 24 hrs.
🛠️ Maintenance
Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons (larger preferred).
Filtration: Gentle but efficient, clean water required.
Decor: Sand or soft substrate, rocks, driftwood, live plants.
Water Change: 25–30% weekly (stable parameters are critical).
👥 Social Behavior
Minimum Group Size: Can live alone or in small groups.
Tank Mates: Peaceful fish like Tetras, Guppies, Corydoras, Gouramis, Shrimp.
Avoid: Loaches, Pufferfish, large Cichlids, or any snail-eating fish.
✅ Do’s
Provide calcium-rich diet for strong shells.
Keep water clean and stable (sensitive to ammonia/nitrite).
Offer hiding places and soft substrate.
❌ Don’ts
Don’t expose to copper-based medications (toxic to snails).
Don’t keep with aggressive/snail-eating fish.
Don’t let water parameters fluctuate too much.
⭐ Quick Tips
Attractive snail with bright orange body – adds color to aquariums.
Helps with tank cleanup but still needs proper feeding.
Best for peaceful community and planted tanks.
