Aquarium Snails Showdown: Mystery, Ramshorn, Nerite, MTS vs Others

Choosing the best aquarium snails for your tank depends heavily on your priorities as an aquarist. Are you drawn to their aesthetic appeal, unique characteristics, or their functional role in maintaining a clean aquarium? Each type of snail offers distinct benefits and features that cater to different preferences and needs.

If you prioritize characteristics, then mystery snails (which is Aquarzon's favourite for a reason) are unmatched in their engaging behaviors and personality. They are known for their unique habits, such as deliberately sinking to the substrate, floating at the surface, or even hibernating for extended periods. Watching a mystery snail can feel like observing a tiny aquatic pet with a mind of its own.

For aquarists who emphasize aesthetics, mystery snails and ramshorn snails stand out for their vibrant colors. Mystery snails come in stunning shades like purple, blue, ivory, magenta pink, jade green, golden, and brown. Ramshorn snails, too, boast an array of colors, including red, pink, and blue, making them visually striking additions to any tank. If unique patterns are more appealing, nerite snails steal the spotlight with their intricately designed shells, featuring zebra stripes, tiger-like patterns, and polka dots.

When it comes to the cleaning function, nerite snails are the undisputed champions. They are highly efficient algae eaters and can help keep even the most stubborn algae, including green spot algae, under control. Mystery snails and ramshorn snails also contribute significantly to algae cleanup. Ramshorn snails are known to consume blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) which is rare to occur as almost all aquarium fish, shrimp and snails usually avoid eating this.

Now, let’s dive deeper into each type of snail and explore what makes them special.

Mystery Snails (Pomacea bridgesii)

Mystery snails are among the most popular snails in the aquarium hobby, thanks to their wide range of colors and charming behaviors. These snails come in hues such as purple, blue, ivory, magenta pink, jade green, golden, and brown, making them a beautiful addition to any tank. Their large, rounded shells and contrasting foot colors add to their visual appeal.

In addition to their aesthetic value, mystery snails are known for their intriguing habits. They can sink or float intentionally by controlling the amount of air in their lungs. This behavior can make them seem playful and interactive, endearing them to aquarists. Mystery snails are also skilled climbers and may venture out of the waterline, so it’s important to have a secure lid on your tank.

Functionally, mystery snails are excellent algae eaters, consuming soft algae on glass, decorations, and plants. They also scavenge uneaten food and organic debris, contributing to a cleaner aquarium environment. However, they do not reproduce as prolifically as some other snails, as they require a male and female to breed, making them easier to manage.

Ramshorn Snails (Planorbidae)

Ramshorn snails are small, spiral-shelled snails that come in a variety of striking colors, including red, pink, ivory and blue. These colors can add a vibrant touch to your aquarium, especially when they contrast against green plants and dark substrates.

One of the standout features of ramshorn snails is their ability to consume blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), making them valuable allies in combating this common aquarium nuisance. They also eat soft algae, decaying plant matter, and uneaten food. While they have a reputation for being prolific breeders, their population is easily controlled by managing feeding levels and tank conditions.

Ramshorn snails are hardy and adaptable, thriving in a wide range of water parameters. They are also small and unobtrusive, making them ideal for tanks of all sizes. With their vibrant colors and practical cleaning abilities, ramshorn snails are a great choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists.

Nerite Snails (Neritina sp.)

Nerite snails are renowned for their beautiful, patterned shells, which feature intricate designs like zebra stripes, tiger patterns, and polka dots. These unique patterns make them one of the most visually appealing snails available, perfect for aquarists who prioritize aesthetics.

In addition to their beauty, nerite snails are exceptional algae eaters. They can consume a wide range of algae, including green spot algae and diatoms, which many other snails cannot handle. This makes them invaluable for maintaining a clean and algae-free aquarium. Another advantage of nerite snails is that they do not reproduce in freshwater, as their eggs require brackish water to hatch. This means you won’t have to worry about overpopulation.

However, nerite snails are known to lay small, white, sesame-seed-like eggs on surfaces, which can be unsightly to some aquarists. Despite this minor drawback, their cleaning prowess and unique appearance make them a favorite among hobbyists.

Malaysian Trumpet Snails (Melanoides tuberculata)

Malaysian trumpet snails (MTS) are small, conical-shelled snails that are highly valued for their functional role in aquariums. These snails are burrowers, spending much of their time in the substrate. This behavior helps aerate the substrate, preventing the buildup of harmful gas pockets and promoting healthier plant roots.

MTS are nocturnal and are most active at night, making them less noticeable during the day. They feed on detritus, leftover food, and decaying plant matter, contributing to a cleaner tank. While they are beneficial for most aquariums, their population can quickly grow if overfeeding occurs. Keeping a close eye on feeding levels will help prevent them from becoming a nuisance.

Physa Pond Snails (Physidae)

Pond snails, often considered pests, are widely misunderstood. While they have a less favourable reputation, they play a valuable role in the aquarium by consuming algae, decaying plant matter, and organic debris. They rarely eat healthy plants unless they are starving, which is uncommon in a well-maintained tank.

The negative reputation of pond snails stems from their ability to reproduce rapidly under overfed conditions. Excess food and organic matter trigger them to overbreed. Their population can be easily controlled by maintaining proper feeding practices and avoiding overfeeding. For aquarists willing to give them a chance, pond snails can be a low-maintenance addition to the cleanup crew.

Best Aquarium Snails

Aquarium snails are versatile and valuable additions to any tank, offering benefits ranging from algae control to substrate aeration. The best snail for your aquarium depends on your specific priorities:

• If you value characteristics and personality, mystery snails are an excellent choice.

• For aesthetics, mystery snails, ramshorn snails, and nerite snails offer stunning colors and patterns.

• If cleaning function is your main goal, nerite snails are the top performers, followed by mystery and ramshorn snails.

• Malaysian trumpet snails are ideal for those looking to improve substrate health.

• Even misunderstood snails like pond snails can play a beneficial role when managed properly.

By understanding the unique qualities of each type of snail, you can choose the ones that best align with your aquarium’s needs and your personal preferences. With the right snails, you can create a vibrant, healthy, and visually stunning aquatic ecosystem.

Aquarzon's favourite snails are Purple Mystery Snails, Blue Ramshorn Snails and Nerite Snails.