Malaysian Trumpet Snail (MTS)

Overview

• Common Name: Malaysian Trumpet Snail
• Scientific Name: Melanoides tuberculata
• Family: Thiaridae
• Size: 1–2 cm (up to 1 inch)
• Lifespan: 1–2 years
• Color: Usually gray, brown, or mottled
• Shape: Long, cone-shaped shell
• Behaviour: Nocturnal, burrowing

Tank Requirements

• Tank Size: 5+ gallons (any size, including nano tanks)
• Substrate: Sand or fine gravel — essential for burrowing
• Décor: Natural décor (rocks, driftwood, plants)
• Plants: Safe — won’t harm them
• Lighting: Doesn’t matter much — active mostly at night

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 68–80°F (20–27°C)
• pH: 7.0–8.2
• Hardness: Medium to hard (shell health)
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: < 40 ppm

Like other snails, MTS need calcium-rich water to prevent shell erosion.

Diet

• Feeding Type: Omnivorous scavenger
• What They Eat:
• Detritus
• Leftover fish food
• Algae (mainly diatoms and film algae)
• Decaying plant matter
• Supplemental Feeding:
• Blanched vegetables (e.g., zucchini)
• Algae wafers
• Calcium-enriched foods if shells are thin

Behaviour & Compatibility

• Temperament: Extremely peaceful
• Tankmates:
• Safe with all peaceful fish, shrimp, snails
• Avoid snail-eaters (assassin snails, puffers, loaches)
• Day/Night Cycle:
• Burrows during the day
• Surfaces at night to feed
• Benefits:
• Aerates substrate
• Helps prevent toxic gas buildup
• Natural clean-up crew

Breeding

• Reproduction: Livebearer (no eggs)
• Breeding Rate: Fast in tanks with abundant food
• Control Tips:
• Avoid overfeeding
• Manual removal or introduce natural predators cautiously
• Gravel vac substrate regularly

Care Tips

• Provide calcium (cuttlebone, snail food)
• Don’t use copper-based meds
• Great for planted and shrimp tanks
• Nocturnal behavior means you may not see them often