Invertebrates
Ramshorn Snail
Planorbella and relatives · also called ramshorn snails
Gliding along the glass of a planted aquarium, a ramshorn snail carries a flattened, coiled shell shaped remarkably like a ram’s horn, breathing air through a simple lung that lets it thrive in water too low in oxygen for many other snails.
Overview
The ramshorn snail, from the genus Planorbella and close relatives, is native to fresh water across a wide range of regions worldwide. Its distinctive horn-shaped shell, air-breathing lung, and ease of breeding in captivity make it one of the most commonly encountered small snails in freshwater aquariums.
A shell shaped like its namesake
The ramshorn snail’s flattened, tightly coiled shell is distinctive enough to make identification easy at a glance, its curved form echoing the shape of a ram’s horn closely enough to have inspired the species’ common name directly.
Status
Not Evaluated for conservation status, widespread across suitable freshwater habitat in its native range and common in aquariums worldwide.
Ramshorn Snail: common questions
Why is it called the ramshorn snail?
Its flattened, spiral shell resembles the curved horn of a ram, a visual similarity that gives the species its common name.
How does the ramshorn snail breathe in low-oxygen water?
It has a basic lung structure that lets it gulp air directly at the water's surface, allowing it to survive in low-oxygen conditions that would be difficult for many gill-breathing snails.
Does the ramshorn snail breed easily in an aquarium?
Yes, it reproduces readily without special intervention, and a tank with favourable conditions can see its population grow steadily on its own.
What colours does the ramshorn snail come in?
It is found in a range of shell and body colours, including red, blue, and brown forms, many of which have become popular in the aquarium trade.