Common ramshorn

Planorbis planorbis

Family : Planorbidae

InvertebrateFreshwatersnail

Freshwater snail with a flat spiral shell, common in coldwater or temperate aquariums.

Common ramshorn — photo 1 sur 4 — Linnaeus, 1758 · Wikimedia Commons · CC01 / 4

Popularity

Freshwater snail

algivore or detritivore

Availability

Common in shops

Shop availability

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Biotope

Europe

Poissons et invertébrés d'Europe tempérée.

Description

Planorbis planorbis is a freshwater snail of the family Planorbidae. Its shell is discoid, coiled in a plane, brown-red to dark brown. It grows to about 1-2 cm in diameter. It feeds on algae, plant debris, and leftover food. It is very hardy and can live in low-oxygen waters thanks to its hemoglobin. It is often used as a cleaner in coldwater aquariums.

Habitat

Region :

Stagnant or slow-moving waters, ponds, ditches

Distribution :

Recommended parameters

Temperature10–25 °C

pH6.5–8

GH5–15 °dGH

KH3–10 °dKH

NO₃

≤ 40 mg/L

PO₄

≤ 2 mg/L

Care

Difficulty

1/5

Diet

Herbivore

Min. tank

5 L

Min. group

Adult size

2 cm

Lifespan

1.5 years

Temperament

Peaceful

Propagation

Hermaphrodite; lays gelatinous egg masses on plants and hard surfaces; can reproduce rapidly in favorable conditions.

Care notes

Freshwater: temperature 10-25°C, pH 6.5-8.0, GH 5-15, KH 3-10. Nitrates <40 ppm. Tolerates a wide range of parameters. Diet: algae, blanched vegetables, fish tablets. Avoid overpopulation as they reproduce quickly.

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