Malaysian Trumpet Snail
Melanoides tuberculata · family Thiaridae
Parameters
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
- pH
- 7–8.5
- Hardness
- 8–25 °dGH
- Tank volume
- from 10 L
- Maximum size
- up to 3 cm
- Group size
- min 1, ideal 5
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Lifespan
- 1–2 years
Pros and cons
- Aerates the substrate — benefits root-feeding plants (Echinodorus, Vallisneria)
- Leaves no visible clutches (livebearing)
- Active at night — doesn't spoil the view by day
- Eats detritus from deep within the substrate
- Population explodes under overfeeding — dozens per square centimeter of substrate
- If a fish or invertebrate dies in the substrate, the colony will surge to the glass and reveal it
- Can't function properly in thin substrate (≤2 cm)
Description
Lives in the substrate and comes out at night. Burrows through the substrate like an earthworm — improves aeration around plant roots. Livebearer (no egg clutches on the glass).
FAQ
- How do I get rid of MTS if they explode in numbers?
- Reduce feeding and add assassin snails. Total eradication is nearly impossible — some individuals always survive deep in the substrate.
AuthorGoldie Editorial
Goldie editorial team
Practising aquarists with a combined 30+ years of experience · Biologists and editors, fact-checking against FishBase and Seriously Fish · Every piece is reviewed by a qualified ichthyologist before publication
Reviewed byGoldie Science Board
Scientific board — ichthyologists and veterinarians
Ichthyologists and veterinarians with university degrees · Reference FishBase, Seriously Fish and peer-reviewed literature · Sign every reviewed article with their credentials shown
Sources
- Wikipedia: Melanoides tuberculata · Wikipedia · 2026-05-22