Yellow Spotted Rabbit Snail (Tylomelania sp.)

Yellow Spotted Rabbit Snail (Tylomelania sp.) is a large ornamental freshwater snail sold in the UK for its long sculpted shell, spotted yellow body and slow, deliberate grazing behaviour. UK retailers commonly use the name Yellow Spotted Rabbit Snail; the scientific identity is kept conservatively at Tylomelania sp. because the colour name alone does not prove an exact species or Sulawesi locality.

Use the live product selector for current price and availability. This is a warm-water aquarium snail, not a British pond snail or coldwater clean-up animal.

Quick care

• UK trade name: Yellow Spotted Rabbit Snail
• Scientific label: Tylomelania sp.
• Adult planning size: up to around 8 cm for this trade form
• Practical aquarium baseline: around 40 litres, with more floor area preferred for several snails or mixed livestock
• Temperature: around 26–30°C
• pH: around 7.5–8.5
• Water: mineral-rich, with enough hardness and carbonate buffering to support shell condition
• Temperament: peaceful
• Diet: algae and biofilm grazing supported with suitable sinking foods and vegetables

Warm, mineral-rich water

Rabbit snails are a poor choice for soft, acidic water because low mineral availability can contribute to shell erosion. Test GH, KH and pH rather than assuming tap water is suitable. If your UK tap water is very soft, use a measured remineralisation plan designed for freshwater aquariums rather than adding random calcium products.

Ammonia and nitrite must remain at zero. Keep nitrate controlled and avoid sudden changes in temperature or mineral content. A mature filter and regular partial water changes are more important than trying to keep the aquarium visually spotless.

Aquarium setup

Use fine sand or smooth gravel with wood and stone that provide grazing surfaces. A planted aquarium can work well, although individual rabbit snails may browse soft or deteriorating leaves. Mature biofilm is useful food, so avoid scrubbing every surface clean at the same time.

A secure lid is sensible. Snails can explore above the waterline, particularly after introduction or if conditions are unsuitable.

Feeding

Do not expect the aquarium to produce enough algae forever. Offer quality algae wafers, invertebrate foods and vegetables such as courgette, green beans or spinach. Remove uneaten vegetable matter before it spoils.

Good shell growth depends on both diet and water chemistry. Prepared calcium-containing invertebrate foods can be useful, but they cannot compensate for chronically acidic, mineral-poor water.

Tank mates

Choose peaceful warm-water fish and invertebrates that will not attack the snail’s antennae or body. Many small community fish and suitable shrimp can work when their temperature and mineral requirements overlap.

Avoid pufferfish, snail-eating loaches, assassin snails and aggressive cichlids. Also check every medication before use: many fish treatments are unsafe for snails.

Breeding

Tylomelania are livebearing snails and reproduce much more slowly than pest snails such as bladder snails or many ramshorns. Juveniles are relatively well developed at birth. Because the exact species and sex are not confirmed from external appearance, this listing does not promise a male, female or breeding pair.

Copper warning

Do not use copper-based medication with rabbit snails. Copper can be highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates. Where fish treatment is needed, read the product label carefully and use a separate treatment aquarium if compatibility is uncertain.

Before ordering

Choose a Yellow Spotted Rabbit Snail if you have a mature, warm, mineral-rich aquarium and want a large peaceful grazing snail for its appearance and behaviour. Reconsider if the aquarium is coldwater, newly cycled, very soft and acidic, or contains known snail predators.

The live product selector remains the source for current stock and price.