The Gold Spotted Rabbit Snail (Tylomelania gemmifera) is an elegant freshwater snail from Sulawesi, Indonesia, known for its elongated spiral shell adorned with golden spots and its curious, rabbit-like face. These snails are peaceful scavengers that thrive in clean, warm, and well-oxygenated aquariums with fine sand or smooth gravel substrates to prevent shell damage. They prefer stable water conditions and should not be housed with aggressive fish or those that nip at their antennae. Gold Spotted Rabbit Snails feed on algae, leftover fish food, sinking pellets, and blanched vegetables like zucchini or spinach. They reproduce slowly, giving birth to one fully formed juvenile at a time, making them an excellent choice for low-maintenance tanks with minimal overpopulation risk.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tylomelania gemmifera |
| Common Name | Gold Spotted Rabbit Snail |
| Origin | Sulawesi, Indonesia |
| Size | Up to 4 inches (10 cm) |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Tank Size | Minimum 20 gallons |
| Water Temperature | 76–84°F (24–29°C) |
| pH Range | 7.5–8.5 |
| Water Hardness | 6–12 dGH (requires calcium for shell health) |
| Substrate | Soft sand or smooth gravel |
| Diet | Algae, sinking pellets, blanched vegetables |
| Tankmates | Peaceful fish and invertebrates; avoid fin-nippers |
| Breeding | Livebearer; produces one juvenile at a time |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Special Notes | Needs hard, mineral-rich water to maintain strong shells |