Rabbit Snail Care Guide 101: Size, Diet, Breed & More | 2024

Rabbit Snails are a unique and exciting addition to any aquarium. They are peaceful, low-maintenance, and can help keep your tank clean. But before you add one to your home aquarium, you should know a few things about them.

They are one of the easiest snails to care for. They don’t require specific water parameters and will do well in freshwater and saltwater aquariums. They can even tolerate a wide range of pH levels.

Rabbit Snails are scavengers, meaning they will eat just about anything they can find. They are most active at night when there is less light. During the day, they will often hide in plants or under rocks.

In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about Rabbit Snails, diet, habitat, tank mates, and more. So, if you consider adding to your aquarium, keep reading.

Rabbit Snail: Species Summary

Scientific Name:	Tylomelania
Common Name:	Rabbit Snail, Sulawesi Snail, Elephant Snail, Bunny Snail, Black Rabbit Snail, Chocolate Rabbit Snail, Golden Rabbit Snail, White Spotted Rabbit Snail, Yellow Rabbit Snail, Poso Snail
Family:	Pachychilidae
Origin:	Central Sulawesi (Indonesia)
Size:	3 – 5 inches
Average Lifespan:	2 – 3 years
Habitat:	Freshwater
Color:	Yellow & Brown
Behavior:	Peaceful
Tank size:	30 gallons and more
pH range:	7.2 – 8.4
Temperature range:	66° – 84°F
Water type:	Freshwater or Saltwater
Water Hardness:	3 – 15 dKH
Activity level:	Active
Reproduction:	Egglayerer
Lightning needs:	Low-Moderate
Care Level:	Easy
Tankmates:	Peaceful fish and invertebrates
Diet:	Omnivores

Also known as the Elephant Snail, the Rabbit Snail is a prominent member of the family Pachychilidae. These snails are native to Central Sulawesi, an Indonesian island in the Celebes Sea.

The Rabbit Snail gets its name from its long, cylindrical shell that resembles a carrot. The shell is brown or tan and has dark brown or black stripes running down the length of it.

Technically speaking, the Rabbit Snail is not an actual snail. It is a member of the family Pleurobranchomorpha, which contains creatures more closely related to slugs than snails.

Despite their name, Rabbit Snails are not rabbits and don’t reproduce by giving birth to live young. Instead, they reproduce asexually by splitting in two.

Rabbit Snail: Appearance

As mentioned earlier, the Rabbit Snail gets its name from its long, cylindrical shell resembling a carrot. The shell is brown or tan and has dark brown or black stripes running down the length of it.

The shell comprises two parts: the outer layer, which is made of calcium carbonate, and the inner layer, which is made of protein.

Rabbit Snails have a single, large eye on the right side of their head. They also have two pairs of tentacles: the upper pair is used for the sense of smell and taste, while the lower pair is used for locomotion.

The body is soft and fleshy, covered in a thin layer of mucus. This mucus helps to keep the Snail’s skin moist and protected from drying out.

While many snails have smooth and slimy skin, the Rabbit Snail’s skin is covered in tiny bumps. These bumps help the Snail to grip onto surfaces and move around. So, if your Rabbit Snail is ever out of the water, it can cling to your hand or arm.

On top of the Snail, you will find its mouth, which is located at the front of the head. Several sharp teeth surround the mouth for grasping and tearing food. Though, the groove can also suck juices out of fruits. This is often how the Rabbit Snail gets its liquid diet.

Rabbit Snail: Size & Growth Rate

The typical size of a Rabbit Snail is around 3 to 5 inches. They grow relatively slowly but can reach their full size within 6 to 12 months.

When you first bring a Rabbit Snail home, allowing it to acclimate to its new environment is essential. This process usually takes a few days. Once it has acclimated, the Snail should start eating and snowballing.

Rabbit Snail: Lifespan

In captivity, the average Rabbit Snail lifespan is 2 to 3 years. However, some individuals have been known to live for up to 5 years. Like any other creature, their lifespan depends on several factors, including their diet, habitat, and water quality.

They are susceptible to changes in water quality, so it is essential to keep an eye on your tank’s parameters and ensure they are stable.

Rabbit Snail: Behavior & Temperament

These snails are relatively peaceful and can get along with most tank mates. However, they may become aggressive if they feel threatened.

They are known to be good climbers. They can climb on rocks and plants in the tank.

Rabbit Snails are also known to be escape artists. They can climb out of the tank, fall, and hurt themselves. As such, keeping a close eye on them and ensuring their tank is secure is essential.

They tend to stick to the bottom of the tank and prefer to stay hidden during the day. At night, they will come out to forage for food.

While other snail species are known to reproduce rapidly, they reproduce slowly. It can take them up to a year to mature, and they will only lay a few eggs at a time.

Rabbit Snail: Senses

Rabbit Snails have a well-developed sense of smell and taste. They use their upper pair of tentacles to smell and taste the food before eating it. It has a good sense of hearing.

It can hear both high and low-frequency sounds, so some people recommend not using a filter in your tank if you have a Rabbit Snail. Also, the Snail’s shell is susceptible to vibration, so it can feel you walking or moving around the room.

Rabbit Snail: Mating

It can be challenging to have sex with Rabbit Snails since they don’t have external genitalia. However, there are a few ways to tell the difference between male and female snails.

One way to sex them is by looking at their shells. Males tend to have taller and thinner shells than females. Females also have a wider opening at the base of their shells.

Another way to tell the difference between males and females is by looking at their tails. Males have longer and thinner tails than females.

Finally, you can look at the number of whorls on their shells. Males tend to have fewer whorls than females. If you still have trouble mating your Rabbit Snails, you can take them to a veterinarian for help.

Rabbit Snail: Breeding

Rabbit Snails are hermaphrodites with both male and female reproductive organs. As such, they can breed with any other Rabbit Snail. You will need to provide them with a suitable breeding tank to breed them. This tank should have a soft, sandy substrate and plenty of hiding places.

The water in the breeding tank should be clean and well-filtered. The temperature should be kept between 72° to 78° Fahrenheit.

Once you have set up the breeding tank, add 2 to 3 Rabbit Snails. It is best to add equal numbers of males and females, but this is not required. The snails will then mate and lay their eggs. The eggs will hatch in 4 to 6 weeks.

Once the baby snails have hatched, you can move them to their tank. Be sure to provide them with a suitable tank and plenty of food.

Rabbit Snail: Food & Diet

Rabbit Snails are primarily herbivores but will also eat meaty foods. An excellent way to provide them with a varied diet is to offer them a variety of vegetables and fruits. You can also give them commercial rabbit food pellets as well.

Rabbit Snails eat algae, uneaten food, and other organic matter. This helps to keep the tank clean and free of harmful build-up.

It is essential to remove any uneaten food from the tank as it can spoil and cause problems with water quality.

Some of the best vegetables and fruits to offer a Rabbit Snail are:

• Zucchini
• Pumpkin
• Spinach
• Carrots
• Apples
• Raspberries

It is also a good idea to offer them a calcium supplement to help keep their shell healthy. An excellent way to do this is to offer them a cuttlebone or mineral block. You can also add calcium powder to their food.

They also like snacks like algae wafers and shrimp pellets. When searching for foods, just be sure they don’t contain copper, as it can be toxic to snails.

Rabbit Snail: Diet Foods To Avoid

There are some diet foods that you should avoid feeding your Rabbit Snail. These foods can cause problems with their health or growth.

Some of the diet foods to avoid are:

• Lettuce: This vegetable is low in nutrients and can cause problems with a snail’s digestion.
• Kale: This leafy green is high in oxalates, which can bind to calcium and prevent absorption.
• Brussel sprouts: This vegetable is high in fiber and can cause problems with a snail’s digestion.

You should also avoid feeding them processed foods containing harmful chemicals and preservatives.

Rabbit Snail: Feeding Schedule

Offering food 2-3 times a week is an excellent idea. Depending on their appetite and activity level, you can offer them more or less.

If you notice that they are not eating as much as usual, it could be a sign of illness, and you should take them to a veterinarian.

A good feeding schedule for a Rabbit Snail is as follows:

• Monday: Offer a couple of slices of zucchini
• Wednesday: Offer a couple of slices of pumpkin
• Friday: Offer a handful of spinach leaves

You can also offer them other vegetables and fruits throughout the week. Just be sure to remove any uneaten food as it can spoil and cause problems with water quality.

Rabbit Snail: Care Guide

Rabbit Snails are pretty straightforward, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind. They are a scavenger, so they will eat anything they can find. This means they will eat any food you give them, including fresh and frozen foods.

As we mentioned earlier, these snails are susceptible to changes in water quality. So, it would be best to ensure your tank’s parameters are stable. This includes the pH level, temperature, and hardness of the water. Before adding a Rabbit Snail to your tank, you should always test your water.

They are also susceptible to changes in lighting. So, it would be best to make sure your tank’s lighting is stable. If you use fluorescent light, you should not change the bulbs more than once every six months. These snails are also known to climb glass tanks, so you must cover your tank.

Rabbit Snail: Tank Size

Rabbit Snails can be kept in both freshwater and saltwater tanks, but they do best in freshwater tanks. The water should be room temperature or a little bit warmer. The tank should have at least 30 gallons and plenty of places for the Snail to hide.

You can provide artificial plants or rocks or let the Snail live in a natural environment. If you choose a natural environment, ensure the tank is well-planted and no predators lurking in the water. The tank should also have a lid to keep the Snail from crawling and drying out.

Rabbit Snail: Tank Mates

When choosing tank mates for your Rabbit Snail, choosing peaceful species that won’t bother them is crucial. It is also essential to choose tank mates that are a similar size or larger.

Some good choices for Rabbit Snail tank mates are:

• Ghost Shrimp
• Guppies
• Celestial Pearl Danio
• Sparkling Gourami
• Corydoras Catfish
• Swordtails
• Neon Tetras
• Discus Fish
• Kuhli Loaches
• Honey Gourami
• Otocinclus
• Dwarf Gourami
• Amano Shrimp

Plenty of other species make good tank mates for Rabbit Snails. These are just a few examples. When choosing tank mates, it is always a good idea to do your research to ensure they are compatible.

Avoid any species that are known to be aggressive or nippers. These fish will likely bother or even harm. Some species of fish may also try to eat the Snail’s eggs. So, choosing tank mates not known to eat snail eggs is essential.

Even many types of shrimp can be good tank mates for Rabbit Snails. However, a few species of shrimp will eat snail eggs. So, it is essential to research before adding shrimp to the tank.

Rabbit Snail: Water Parameters

Rabbit Snails are susceptible to changes in water quality, so it is essential to monitor your tank’s parameters and ensure they are stable. The pH level should be between 7.2 to 8.4, and the water hardness should be between 2 to 15 dKH.

It is also essential to keep the nitrate levels low, as high nitrate levels can cause problems with the Snail’s shell. To help keep the nitrate levels low, you can do a partial water change every week or so.

Keep the water temperature between 66° to 84° Fahrenheit. They are susceptible to changes in temperature, so it is essential to keep the tank’s temperature stable.

Finally, you’ll need to ensure the tank has a lid, as they are known to climb out of tanks. So, a lid is necessary to prevent them from drying out.

Filtration

Rabbit Snails are susceptible to changes in water quality, so it is essential to have a sound filtration system in place. A good filtration system will help to keep the water quality stable and will also help to keep the nitrate levels low.

If you use a canister filter, ensure the flow rate is not too high, which can stress out the Snail. Using an air stone in the tank is also a good idea, as this will help keep the water well-oxygenated.

It would help if you also did a partial water change every week to help keep the water quality high. When choosing a filter, ensure it is designed for a freshwater tank.

Some recommended filters are:

• Fluval Canister Filter
• Aqua Clear Power Filter
• Eheim Canister Filter

Heating

Rabbit Snails are susceptible to changes in water temperature, so keeping the tank’s temperature stable is essential. The ideal water temperature for these snails is between 66° to 84° Fahrenheit.

If you live in an area with a cold climate, you may need a heater to keep the tank’s temperature stable.

Some recommended heaters are:

• Fluval E Series Heater
• Aqua Clear Powerhead Heater
• Eheim Jager Aquarium Heater

Lighting

Rabbit Snails are susceptible to changes in lighting, so it is essential to keep the lighting in your tank stable. If you use fluorescent light, you should not change the bulbs more than once every six months.

Keeping the light on for 12 hours a day is also essential, as this will help the Snail stay healthy.

Some recommended lights for a Rabbit Snail tank are:

• Zoo Med Aquarium Hood
• Coralife Aqualight
• Marineland Double Bright LED Light

CO2 System

Rabbit Snails are susceptible to changes in CO2 levels, so keeping the CO2 levels in your tank stable is essential. The ideal CO2 level for these snails is between 30 to 40 ppm. If you use a CO2 system, ensure the flow rate is not too high, which can stress out the Snail.

Some recommended CO2 systems are:

• Fluval CO2 System
• Aqua Clear Powerhead CO2 System
• Eheim CO2 System

Substrate

Rabbit Snails are susceptible to changes in substrate, so it is essential to choose a safe substrate for these snails.

Some recommended substrates for a Rabbit Snail tank are:

• Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum
• Aqua Clear Powerhead Substrate
• Eheim Substrate

Plants

Rabbit Snails are susceptible to plant changes, so choosing plants that are safe for these snails is essential.

Some recommended plants for a Rabbit Snail tank are:

• Anubias
• Java Fern
• Hornwort

Aquascaping

Rabbit Snails are susceptible to changes in aquascaping, so it is essential to choose safe aquascaping.

Some recommended aquascapes for a Rabbit Snail tank are:

• Fluval Edge Aquarium
• Aqua Clear Powerhead Aquarium
• Eheim Aquarium

Adding Calcium To The Tank

Adding calcium to a Rabbit Snail tank is essential, as these snails need calcium to stay healthy. The ideal calcium level for these snails is between 30 and 40 ppm.

You’ll need to add calcium to the tank every week, and you can do this by using a calcium supplement or adding crushed coral to the tank.

To add calcium to the tank, you’ll need to:

• Test the calcium levels in the tank using a calcium test kit.
• If the levels are low, add a calcium supplement or crushed coral to the tank.
• Test the calcium levels again after 24 hours to ensure they are at the correct level.

Decorations

Rabbit Snails are susceptible to changes in decorations, so it is essential to choose safe decorations for these snails.

Some recommended decorations for a Rabbit Snail tank are:

• The Zoo Med Naturalistic Terrarium Decor
• The Exo Terra Jungle Plants
• The Zoo Med Aquatic Decorations

Rabbit Snail: Other Tank Accessories

In addition to the decorations, there are a few other tank accessories that you’ll need to get for your Rabbit Snail tank.

These include:

• An air stone: It is necessary to provide oxygen to the Snail.
• Thermometers: These are necessary to monitor the temperature of the tank.
• pH test kits: They help monitor the pH levels of the tank.
• A substrate heater is also necessary to keep the substrate warm enough for the Snail.

Rabbit Snail: Water Change Schedules

It is important to do water changes regularly in a Rabbit Snail tank, as these snails are susceptible to changes in water quality.

The recommended water change schedule for these snails is as follows:

• Weekly water changes of 20%
• Monthly water changes of 50%

To do a water change, you’ll need to:

• Remove the Snail from the tank.
• Drain the water from the tank.
• Refill the tank with fresh water.
• Add the Snail back to the tank.
• Test the water quality using a water test kit.

Rabbit Snail: Cleaning The Tank

In addition to water changes, cleaning the tank regularly is necessary.

This can be done by:

• Remove all the decorations from the tank.
• Drain the water from the tank.
• Clean the tank with mild soap and a soft cloth.
• Rinse the tank with clean water.
• Add the decorations back to the tank.
• Fill the tank with fresh water.
• Test the water quality using a water test kit.

Cleaning the tank is integral to keeping your Rabbit Snail healthy and happy. You’ll need to clean the tank at least once a week.

Rabbit Snail: Cleaning The Filter

It is also necessary to clean the filter regularly.

This can be done by:

• Remove the filter from the tank.
• Rinse the filter media in clean water.
• Replace the filter media in the filter.
• Put the filter back in the tank.

You’ll need to clean the filter at least once a week.

Rabbit Snail: Testing The Water Parameters

It is essential to test the water parameters in a Rabbit Snail tank regularly. This can be done by using a water test kit.

The recommended water parameters for these snails are:

• pH levels between 7.2 to 8.4
• Ammonia levels of 0 ppm
• Nitrite levels of 0 ppm
• Nitrate levels of 0 ppm

To test the water parameters, you’ll need to:

• Test the pH levels using a pH test kit.
• Test the ammonia levels using an ammonia test kit.
• Test the nitrite levels using a nitrite test kit.
• Test the nitrate levels using a nitrate test kit.
• Test the calcium levels using a calcium test kit.

You’ll need to test the water parameters at least once a week.

Rabbit Snail: Common Possible Diseases

Rabbit Snails are susceptible to changes in water quality, so it is essential to test the water parameters regularly and make water changes as needed.

Some common diseases that can affect these snails are:

• Gastrointestinal parasites
• Respiratory infections
• Skin infections
• Leeches

If you think your Rabbit Snail may be sick, it is essential to take them to a veterinarian who is experienced in treating reptiles and amphibians.

Rabbit Snail: Prevention

The best way to prevent disease in a Rabbit Snail is to maintain a clean tank and test the water parameters regularly. It would help to quarantine new snails before adding them to your tank.

You should also make sure to provide your Snail with a healthy diet. An excellent way to do this is to offer them a variety of vegetables and fruits. You can also give them commercial rabbit food pellets as well.

You should remove any uneaten food from the tank as it can spoil and cause problems with water quality. You can also use a UVB light to help prevent disease. UVB light helps to boost a snail’s immune system and can help to prevent respiratory infections.

Rabbit Snail: Treatment & Medications

If your Rabbit Snail is sick, it is essential to take them to a veterinarian who is experienced in treating reptiles and amphibians. The vet will likely prescribe antibiotics or other medication for the Snail.

It is essential to follow the directions on the medication and give the Snail the entire course of treatment. It is also important to continue testing the water parameters during treatment and doing water changes as needed.

Once the Snail has completed treatment, it is important to continue testing the water parameters and doing water changes as needed to help prevent relapse.

Some of the most common medications that are used to treat Rabbit Snails are:

• Metronidazole
• Praziquantel
• Fenbendazole
• Ivermectin
• Tetracycline

As such, making gradual changes when treating them with medication is essential.

You should also continue monitoring the water parameters during and after treatment to ensure that the Snail is not adversely affected by the medication.

Advantages Of Having Rabbit Snail In Your Tank

The first advantage of having Rabbit Snails in your tank is that they are great at keeping the tank clean. They will consume algae, uneaten food, and other organic matter. This helps to keep the tank clean and free of harmful build-up.

They are also very peaceful creatures. They will not bother other fish or invertebrates in the tank. This makes them an excellent choice for community tanks.

Finally, they are straightforward to care for. They are very hardy creatures that can tolerate a wide range of conditions. They will do fine if you provide them with a suitable tank and food.

Disadvantages Of Having Rabbit Snail In Your Tank

There are a few disadvantages to having Rabbit Snails in your tank. The first is that they are passive creatures. This can make them easy targets for other, more aggressive fish.

Another disadvantage is that they are known to eat live plants. If you have live plants in your tank, they may not last long if you add Rabbit Snails.

Finally, Rabbit Snails are known to reproduce quickly. This can lead to a population explosion if you are not careful. If this happens, you may need to remove some snails from the tank.

Conclusion

As you can see, having Rabbit Snails in your tank has advantages and disadvantages. However, overall they are a great addition to most tanks. They are peaceful, easy-to-care-for creatures that help keep the tank clean. If you are looking for a new snail for your tank, consider adding a Rabbit Snail.

Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you learn all about Rabbit Snails. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below.

Happy snail-keeping!