Malaysian trumpet snail care guide
Also called: MTS, Red-rimmed melania, Trumpet snail
Malaysian trumpet snails are small, cone-shelled snails that burrow in sand by day and eat leftovers and algae at night. They are very hardy and harmless to plants and fish, but they give birth to live young and can multiply fast if you overfeed.
Malaysian trumpet snails need a tank of at least 10 gallons (38 L), and water at 20–27°C (68–81°F) with a pH of 6.5–8. They grow to about 2.5 cm (1 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with Malaysian trumpet snailsSee all tank mates
Malaysian trumpet snail quick facts
| Scientific name | Melanoides tuberculata |
|---|---|
| Family | Thiaridae |
| Origin | Fresh and slightly brackish waters of Africa, the Middle East and southern Asia (now spread worldwide) |
| Adult size | 2.5 cm (1 in) |
| Minimum tank | 10 gallons (38 L) |
| Temperature | 20–27°C (68–81°F) |
| pH | 6.5–8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 6–15 dGH |
| Group size | Can live alone |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Bottom |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Easy |
| Lifespan | 1–2 years |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
- Needs sand or smooth, fine gravel to protect its barbels and belly.
Tank setup
A small group does well in a tank of 10 gallons (38 L) or more. They spend the day buried in the substrate and come out at night. Soft sand is best, since coarse gravel or sharp pebbles can injure their shells. Cover filter intakes with a sponge so young snails are not pulled in.
How many Malaysian trumpet snails in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits Malaysian trumpet snails is a 10 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Malaysian trumpet snails (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Up to 137 |
| 15 gallon | Up to 206 |
| 20 gallon | Up to 275 |
| 20 gallon long | Up to 275 |
| 29 gallon | Up to 399 |
| 40 gallon | Up to 551 |
| 55 gallon | Up to 758 |
| 75 gallon | Up to 1034 |
| 125 gallon | Up to 1723 |
What you need for Malaysian trumpet snails
Sized for a 10 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits Malaysian trumpet snails. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 10 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Adjustable heater, 50 W (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 74 °F (23.5 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Sponge filter for 20 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gentle flow, about 30–50 GPH, suits shrimp and snails, which prefer slow water. Needs a small air pump. How to choose
- About 20 lb of aquarium sand (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 1.5 in (4 cm) deep. Soft sand protects the barbels of corydoras, loaches and other diggers. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 20 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for Malaysian trumpet snails
- Calcium-rich snail food (opens Amazon in a new tab)Snails need calcium to keep their shells healthy.
Product links go to Amazon search results. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
Water parameters
Keep them at 20–27 °C (68–81 °F), pH 6.5–8.0 and 6–15 dGH. They are hardy and cope with a wide range of conditions, and they can even adapt to slightly brackish water. Hard, slightly alkaline water keeps shells strong, while acidic water slowly pits them. Avoid copper medicines and be careful with plant fertilizers.
Best tank mates for Malaysian trumpet snails
These popular species share Malaysian trumpet snails' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 125 good matches.
Betta fish
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Cherry shrimp
3 cm (1.2 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Guppy
5 cm (2 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Dwarf gourami
7.5 cm (3 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Neon tetra
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)
Panda corydoras
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)
Bristlenose pleco
12 cm (4.7 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Avoid keeping Malaysian trumpet snails with
- Oscar: Oscar eats snails, including Malaysian trumpet snails.
- Assassin snail: Assassin snail eats snails, including Malaysian trumpet snails.
- Clown loach: Clown loach eats snails, including Malaysian trumpet snails.
- Discus: They need different temperatures: Malaysian trumpet snail 20–27°C (68–81°F), discus 28–30°C (82–86°F).
- Dojo loach: Dojo loach eats snails, including Malaysian trumpet snails.
- Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid eats snails, including Malaysian trumpet snails.
Feeding
They eat leftover fish food, soft algae, biofilm and decaying plant matter. In most tanks they find enough food without extra feeding. If numbers drop or shells look thin, add an algae wafer or calcium-rich snail food now and then.
Behavior
Peaceful and mostly nocturnal. Their tunnelling stirs up the substrate and mixes waste down to plant roots, which helps stop stagnant spots forming. They don't harm plants, fish, shrimp or other snails. Assassin snails, pufferfish, clown loaches and some large cichlids will eat them.
Breeding
They breed on their own and very quickly. Females can have young without a male, carry them in a brood pouch and release tiny, fully formed snails, sometimes dozens at once. Numbers rise and fall with food, so a large population usually means too much feeding.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Feed less if numbers explode. The snail population follows the food supply.
- Trap extras after lights out: leave a slice of blanched vegetable on the sand, then lift it out with the snails on it.
- Rinse plants and used gravel well. These snails can survive out of water for one to three weeks in damp gravel.
- Never release them or tank water into ponds or streams. They are invasive in many countries.
- Choose sand over coarse gravel so their burrowing doesn't scratch the shells.
Frequently asked questions
Are Malaysian trumpet snails good for an aquarium?
Yes, in moderation. They eat leftovers, turn over the substrate and don't harm plants or fish. The only downside is that they breed fast when there is plenty of food.
How do I get rid of Malaysian trumpet snails?
Feed less, vacuum the top layer of substrate and trap them at night with a piece of vegetable. Assassin snails also hunt them, but don't add those if you keep other snails you want to save.
Do Malaysian trumpet snails eat live plants?
No. They eat algae, leftover food and leaves that are already dying. They are one of the safest snails for planted tanks.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.