Indian ramshorn snail (Indoplanorbis exustus) care guide

Group
Snails
Other names
Planorbis exustus, Planorbis coromandelicus, Planorbis indicus, Planorbis zonatus
Family
Bulinidae
Origin
Tropical Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, South-east Asia, Iran, Afghanistan), Arabia and parts of Africa; introduced elsewhere
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
2.5 cm
Temperature
18–30°C
Minimum tank
10 litres
Care level
beginner
Lifespan
0.5–1 years

Care

Indoplanorbis exustus is an air-breathing freshwater ramshorn snail with a flat, coiled (discoid) shell up to about 2.5 cm wide, the whorls growing quickly in height. It is the only living species in its genus and belongs to the family Bulinidae. It looks very like the American ramshorn (Planorbella duryi), which is the snail usually sold as 'ramshorn' in red, pink and blue forms, so check which you are buying. In the wild it lives in small ponds, pools and sometimes rice paddies, and adults survive the dry season buried in mud. It is easy to keep in almost any tropical tank and needs water above about 15 °C to mature. Give it moderately hard water and calcium for a healthy shell. Health note: in its native range it is an important intermediate host for blood flukes (Schistosoma species of cattle) and other trematodes. These parasites are not present in captive-bred aquarium stock away from infected livestock, but buy aquarium-bred snails rather than wild-collected ones, and wash your hands after working in the tank. It has been introduced to parts of Africa, the Caribbean and the USA, where it is treated as a potentially serious threat. Never release this animal or empty its tank water into drains or waterways. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most other invertebrates. Never dose them in a tank holding this animal, and check the label of any treatment or fertiliser before use. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoplanorbisexustus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Grazes algae, biofilm, detritus and leftover food. Kept snails are reared on lettuce and spinach; blanched vegetables, algae wafers and sinking pellets all suit it. It rarely damages healthy plants.

Breeding

Hermaphrodite that can fertilise itself, so a single snail can start a colony. It is very prolific: clusters of about 2 to 43 eggs (around 20 on average) are laid on hard surfaces, and one snail can lay up to about 800 eggs in its life at around 30 °C. Average lifespan in studies is about four months. Numbers rise quickly when food is plentiful; control them by feeding less and removing egg clusters.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful; safe with fish, shrimp and plants. Eaten by puffers, loaches and assassin snails, which are sometimes used to control numbers.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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