Care guide · Freshwater snails

Matano rabbit snail

Tylomelania patriarchalis

Shell photograph for identification; a reliably identified living-animal photograph is still missing. Photo: H. Zell · Source · CC BY-SA 3.0Resized and compressed; no cropping or colour changes.

Tylomelania patriarchalis is a large Sulawesi snail with an elongated, distinctly sculptured shell. It needs a different layout from small ramshorn or trumpet snails: warm water, room to move and accessible soft substrate matter. The rabbit-snail trade name covers several species and uncertain forms. This guide therefore addresses Tylomelania patriarchalis specifically rather than transferring the characteristics of a bright orange Tylomelania. A quiet tank with suitable feeding reveals its behaviour better than a busy community. The shell photograph supports identification; a reliably licensed photograph of the living animal remains a desirable addition.

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At a glance

Temperature: 26–28 °C
pH: 7.5–8.5
Difficulty: Difficult
Diet: Herbivore
Plant safety: Yes
Aquarium length: At least 60 cm
Minimum aquarium volume: At least 54 L
Adult size: Approximately 10–12 cm
Swimming zone: Bottom
Temperament: Peaceful
Cover: Suitable plants, Wood

Figures are cautious husbandry guidance, not a full stocking calculation. Missing values are insufficiently supported. Read layout, water and pairing conditions together.

About this species

The dark sculptured shell can reach roughly ten centimetres or more in large adults. The living animal is described as dark with fine pale spots. A yellow or orange commercial form is not automatically this species. The scientific spelling is patriarchalis, despite variants on sales pages. Taxonomic descriptions and correctly named references matter more than attractive trade photographs. Design the layout for the adult shell, not merely a juvenile’s sales size.

Natural habitat

This species is native to Lake Matano on Sulawesi and scientifically described as a soft-substrate inhabitant. That differs from relatives mainly using hard surfaces. The lake is warm and alkaline; this does not automatically mean very hard water. Practical care translates this into steady warmth, clean water and accessible sand. A generic rocky layout for every Sulawesi animal may omit precisely the substrate space this snail uses.

Aquarium and layout

About 60 centimetres and 54 litres provide a cautious starting point; large adults and tankmates need more space. Maintain open ground routes and avoid gaps where the long shell becomes trapped. Secure heavy decorations and offer shade without filling the entire substrate with plants. A quiet sandy corner permits natural searching. Do not use arbitrary mud from outdoor waters. Ensure food is reachable without continual displacement by faster inhabitants.

Water conditions

Warm maintenance around 26–28 °C is a conservative practical choice. The natural locality is warm and alkaline, while keepers also describe maintenance near 25 °C. This difference does not justify an extremely broad ideal range. Maintain stable neutral-to-alkaline conditions and measure GH and KH separately. A narrow universal hardness target for this exact species is insufficiently supported, so missing central figures remain unknown. A Sulawesi-shrimp mineral recipe does not automatically establish the snail’s needs.

Behaviour and group size

This is a quiet substrate user, not a schooling animal. Several specimens require adequate ground space and food rather than simply more ornaments. Bright light or disturbance may cause withdrawal. Allow movement at its own pace and avoid repeatedly lifting it. Its long shell particularly needs an unobstructed route. Observe grazing and food access at different times. Long inactivity must be assessed alongside water and nutrition.

Feeding

Growth and edible organic material on the substrate are relevant, but suitable supplementary food must be available. Offer small appropriate plant-based and formulated portions and check uptake. This soft-substrate species is not described as a strong plant eater, but must not be left unfed. Dying leaves alone are not a complete diet. Remove leftovers promptly, especially in warm water. A product supported only for other animals is not recommended simply because its name mentions snails or bottom feeding.

Breeding

Tylomelania have separate sexes that are not easily distinguished externally by the keeper. Offspring develop in a brood chamber and are released as relatively developed young snails. This differs from the many eggs produced by ramshorns. Freshwater reproduction is possible but generally slow and never guaranteed production. Birth shortly after relocation does not establish that the new tank is ideal. Protect young and make food accessible. Avoid mixing unidentified Tylomelania if maintaining species identity matters.

Keeping with fish

Select fish suited to warm conditions that leave tentacles and foot alone. A large shell does not prevent targeted picking. Snail predators are unsuitable, while busy bottom dwellers may disrupt rest and feeding. Temperature overlap alone is insufficient: warm-water dwarf cichlids may present territorial risks and prefer more acidic water. The cards therefore include unfavourable combinations rather than merely listing possible neighbours.

Keeping with other invertebrates

Shared temperature needs careful assessment with peaceful invertebrates. Cooler-kept tiger and bee shrimp are not obvious companions for this warm-water snail. Amanos may outcompete it at food, making separately accessible feeding necessary. Crayfish may damage exposed parts and are not recommended. With other Tylomelania, identity and possible mixing of lines matter alongside space and diet. Sulawesi origin does not prove identical requirements.

Exoskeleton, shell and minerals

The shell grows continuously and is not shed. Older areas may be damaged while new growth looks different. Investigate chemistry, nutrition and mechanical stress before adding calcium. Naturally alkaline but relatively soft water illustrates why pH and hardness must not be treated as the same measure. A standard mineral recipe is unsupported here. Handle the long shell carefully and never pull the foot of an attached animal.

Possible problems

Overly cool water, inaccessible food and repeated trapping are practical concerns. Check temperature, water quality and tankmate behaviour if condition declines. Do not use snail-control products or copper treatments without knowledgeable assessment of suitability. Identification remains important at purchase: the wrong name can lead to wrong care expectations. Ask for clear origin details and prefer responsibly bred animals where possible. No medical treatment or mineral dose is inferred from appearance alone.