Ramshorn snails

[fishman1979]

Do they reproduce asexually or do you need more then one? I have had one in a tank for about a month and there is still only one.

[FishyFry]

Ramshorns are Hermaphrodites, so you only need one. Howerver, they can also reproduce sexually. Are you hoping for reproduction? If so, what is the water temp and what are you feeding your snail?

[fishman1979]

not sure if i was looking for reproduction, but i could use the cleaning help, lol. the water temp is about 74, and i am not feeding anything special. he is just cleaning the algae off my 10G betta tank.

[FishyFry]

Well, I'd say your tank is balanced for the load. If you need more for cleaning, drop a bit more food in. The tank will support as many snails as the food source will allow. They like veggies such as zucchini, lettuce, cucumbers...

[DaisyTattoo]

Ramshorns actually need 2 to reproduce. They are hermaphroditic but still need 2 to have fertilized eggs. Here is a peice of Daveeda's ramshorn article. I would link you to the entire thing, but unfortunately I can't link to that site from here.


As far as reproduction and breeding goes. I would classify these snails as extremely easy. Ramshorns are hermaphroditic, Once fertilized they will remain so for a very long time even without further contact with other mature snails. Even if you only bring one home, the chances are good that it has been fertilized and will reproduce. It takes two to tango originally, but once the tango is danced, it will be a long time before that snail quits producing eggs. Ramshorn lay their eggs underwater on almost any surface. The egg clusters look like a flat amber sheet. Ramshorn eggs always remind me of the onion cells we looked at through the microscope in science class. Here is a photo of Ramshorn eggs on the back of an annubia leaf:

[FishyFry]

well, darn, I found at least two other sources that say otherwise as far as whether one or two Ramshorns are needed. Albeit, it is rare that only one hermaphrodite can impregnate itself. But it can be done.

[fishman1979]

looks like i need to find a few more somewhere. thanks.

[Mgamer20o0]

not to hard to find some more. once they start they breed very fast.

[fishman1979]

i just bid on 25+ red ones on ebay.

[Aislinn]

I have 1 Ramshorn, about an inch & a quarter diameter now I think. I've had it for over a year, and it's never reproduced in any of my tanks. It rotates from tank to tank (even my mbuna tank - they just ignore it) zooming around everywhere and eating anything and everything it finds. Great little snail, but still just one snail. Which for me makes it even more great.