Mystery snail

Care at a glance

The mystery snail is the largest and most endearing snail in the community tank: a round shell in gold, ivory, blue or purple, with long tentacles and a surprisingly inquisitive air. Unlike its notorious relative the channelled apple snail, this species leaves healthy plants alone and mostly eats leftovers, biofilm and dying leaves.

It breathes air through a siphon, so it must be able to reach the surface; leave some space above the water too, as it lays its egg clutches above the waterline. Enough calcium matters for the shell, and a snail lying on its back that cannot right itself is simply worth a helping hand.

Best not combined with

• Clown loachChromobotia macracanthus
• Yoyo loachBotia almorhae
• Zebra loachBotia striata
• Angelicus loach (polka-dot loach)Botia kubotai
• Blue botiaYasuhikotakia modesta
• Assassin snailAnentome helena

Related species

• Bamboo shrimpAtyopsis moluccensis
• Ramshorn snailPlanorbella duryi
• Ghost shrimpPalaemonetes paludosus
• Malaysian trumpet snailMelanoides tuberculata
• Assassin snailAnentome helena
• Crystal red shrimpCaridina cantonensis