Green Rabbit Snail (Tylomelania sp.) Unusual, peaceful and packed with personality, the Green Rabbit Snail is a fascinating freshwater snail from the Tylomelania group. With its elongated spiral shell, distinctive rabbit-like face and unusual green-toned body colouration, this Sulawesi snail is a standout addition for aquarists wanting something far more interesting than the average aquarium snail. Quick Facts Scientific name: Tylomelania sp. Common name: Green Rabbit Snail Origin: Sulawesi, Indonesia Current size: Size varies between individuals Adult size: Approximately 5–10 cm depending on species/form Tank size: 40L+ recommended Difficulty: 🟡 Easy to Moderate Temperament: Completely peaceful Best kept: Individually or in groups in mature, stable aquariums Is this for you? ✔️ Perfect if: You enjoy unusual freshwater snails and invertebrates. You want a peaceful inhabitant with plenty of personality. You have a mature aquarium with stable water conditions. You keep shrimp, peaceful community fish or other compatible snails. You want a snail that reproduces slowly rather than exploding in population. ❌ Avoid if: Your aquarium is newly established or unstable. You keep snail-eating fish such as many puffers or large loaches. Your water is extremely soft and acidic. You use copper-based medications in the aquarium. Why choose Green Rabbit Snails? Rabbit Snails are unlike almost any other freshwater snail commonly kept in aquariums. Their long, spiralled shells and extended faces give them an almost prehistoric appearance, while their slow, deliberate movements make them surprisingly entertaining to watch. Green Rabbit Snails add another dimension with their distinctive green-toned body colouration, creating an unusual contrast against their darker shell. They spend much of their time moving across the substrate, rocks and driftwood searching for biofilm, algae and leftover foods. Unlike pest snails that can reproduce rapidly, Tylomelania reproduce very slowly, making their population considerably easier to manage. Benefits Unique green-toned body colouration Distinctive elongated spiral shell Peaceful and shrimp compatible Grazes biofilm, soft algae and leftover foods Slow reproduction compared with common pest snails Fascinating behaviour and plenty of personality Excellent feature in planted and invertebrate aquariums Care made simple Temperature: Approximately 24–29°C pH: Approximately 7.2–8.2 Diet: Algae wafers, sinking foods, biofilm, blanched vegetables and specialised snail or shrimp foods Water: Clean, stable and mineral-rich Substrate: Fine sand or smooth substrate is preferred Setup: Mature aquarium with driftwood, rocks and established biofilm Provide adequate calcium and minerals to support healthy shell development. Avoid copper-based medications, which can be highly toxic to freshwater snails. Pairs perfectly with Caridina Shrimp Neocaridina Shrimp Otocinclus Peaceful small community fish Other non-aggressive freshwater snails NTA Insight: Rabbit Snails are not just another clean-up crew animal. They are worth keeping as feature inhabitants in their own right. Their unusual face, long shell and slow exploratory behaviour give them far more character than many people expect from a snail. Keep the water mineral-rich and stable, supplement their diet rather than expecting them to survive purely on algae, and they can become one of the most interesting residents in your aquarium. FAQ Why are they called Rabbit Snails? The name comes from their distinctive elongated head and drooping tentacles, which give them a rabbit-like appearance as they move around the aquarium. Do Green Rabbit Snails eat algae? Yes. They graze on biofilm and some soft algae, but they should not be purchased solely as an algae-control solution. A healthy diet should also include sinking foods, algae wafers and suitable vegetables. Will Rabbit Snails reproduce out of control? No. Rabbit Snails reproduce much more slowly than common pest snails. They give birth to a small number of live young rather than laying large masses of eggs throughout the aquarium. Can Green Rabbit Snails live with shrimp? Yes. Rabbit Snails are peaceful and generally make excellent companions for freshwater shrimp, provided their water requirements are compatible. Will they eat my aquarium plants? Healthy plants are generally left alone, although Rabbit Snails may graze dying or damaged plant material. Hungry individuals may also investigate softer vegetation, so regular supplementary feeding is recommended. Why is my Rabbit Snail not moving? Rabbit Snails can remain inactive for extended periods, particularly after transport or changes in water conditions. However, prolonged inactivity should prompt you to check temperature, water quality and whether the snail is responding normally. Why is calcium important? Calcium and other minerals are required to maintain healthy shell growth. Very soft or acidic water can gradually erode the shell and should be avoided. How long do Rabbit Snails live? With stable water conditions, appropriate mineral levels and a varied diet, Rabbit Snails can live for several years. Are Green Rabbit Snails safe with fish? They are safe with peaceful community fish, but should not be housed with species known to attack or eat snails, including many puffers and some loaches.
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