Orange Rock Snail (Orange Tylomelania)

14 October 2026

The Orange Rock Snail is a trade name commonly used for orange-bodied Tylomelania, a group of freshwater snails associated with Sulawesi. Its dark, strongly ridged shell contrasts with the bright orange foot and head. Exact species identification is uncertain from the trade name and photographs alone, so care should follow general Tylomelania requirements. These snails are peaceful, active mainly at night, and best kept in mature, warm, alkaline aquariums with stable mineral content.

Taxonomy and identification

Tylomelania is a genus of freshwater snails in the family Pachychilidae, within the gastropods. The aquarium name Orange Rock Snail or Orange Tylomelania does not establish a particular species, and several related forms are traded under similar names. The pictured form has an orange to yellow-orange body and a dark brown or black, elongated shell with pronounced ridges. Confirmed species-level identification would require reliable locality and shell or anatomical information.

Natural habitat

Tylomelania species are native to Indonesian fresh waters, especially habitats associated with Sulawesi. Depending on species, they occur in lakes, streams, and springs, often on rocks, coarse substrate, submerged wood, or other firm surfaces. Many aquarium forms are collected or bred from environments that are warm, well oxygenated, alkaline, and rich in dissolved minerals.

Aquarium conditions

Use a mature aquarium with stable temperature, strong biological filtration, good oxygenation, and gentle to moderate circulation. Aim for approximately 26–30 °C and pH 7.5–8.5, with measurable hardness and sufficient calcium and other minerals for shell growth. Avoid sudden changes, prolonged acidity, low oxygen, and detectable ammonia or nitrite. Smooth rocks and open bottom areas provide useful grazing and resting surfaces.

Feeding

These snails graze biofilm, soft algae, microorganisms, and settled organic matter, but an aquarium should not be expected to supply all of their food. Offer sinking foods such as algae-based wafers, spirulina foods, or prepared foods suitable for herbivorous and omnivorous freshwater snails. Blanched vegetables can be used occasionally. Remove uneaten food to protect water quality and prevent excessive population growth.

Plant safety

Healthy, established plants are generally safe with Tylomelania. These snails mainly graze surfaces and consume soft, decaying material rather than deliberately shredding healthy leaves. They may climb through plants or dislodge poorly rooted specimens because of their size and activity. Plant damage is more likely when food is insufficient or when leaves are already weakened.

Behaviour and tank mates

Orange Tylomelania are peaceful toward fish, shrimp, and other snails that do not attack them. Avoid aggressive fish, snail-eating species, and persistent fin or body nippers. Provide enough floor area, hiding places, and access to food. They may spend periods buried, inactive, or hidden, especially after transport or acclimation, but persistent inactivity can indicate unsuitable water or poor condition.

Reproduction

Tylomelania are livebearing snails rather than typical egg-cluster layers. Females produce individual young enclosed in a protective capsule, and the young emerge as relatively developed miniature snails. Reproduction is usually slower than that of common pest snails, but successful breeding requires mature animals, warm stable water, adequate food, and minerals. Exact reproductive details vary among species and unidentified trade forms.

Population control

Control numbers by keeping an appropriate starting group, feeding measured portions, removing excess food, and siphoning accumulated organic debris. Hand-remove surplus snails during maintenance and rehome them where possible. A sudden increase usually indicates abundant food rather than a disease. Do not use copper-based medications or chemical snail killers in a display containing wanted snails, shrimp, or other sensitive invertebrates.

Snail info

Temperature : 26–30 °C
pH: 7.5–8.5

Related on Snails

Leave your comments

Latest on Snails

Orange Red Ramshorn Snail (Planorbella duryi duryi)

The orange red ramshorn snail is a freshwater planorbid recognized by its flat, coiled shell and brightly colored body. Planorbella duryi duryi is associated with freshwater habitats in the southeastern United States, especially Florida, although aquarium specimens may be selectively bred and their exact locality is often unknown. It is generally peaceful, useful as a grazer and scavenger, and capable of reproducing quickly when food is abundant.
Midnight Lady Snail (Vittina sp.)

The Midnight Lady Snail is a dark, patterned nerite sold under the aquarium trade name Midnight Lady Schnecke. It is identified here as Vittina sp., because the exact species cannot be confirmed from the supplied name and photograph alone. These snails are generally peaceful algae grazers for mature freshwater aquariums, but successful breeding requires conditions that are not normally present in freshwater tanks.
Ivory Predatory Snail: Anentome helena

The ivory predatory snail, commonly sold as Clea helena, is a freshwater assassin snail from Southeast Asia. It has a strongly ribbed, ivory to yellow-brown shell and a mottled gray-brown body. This active carnivore hunts or scavenges other small snails and accepts meaty foods in aquaria. It is generally plant-safe, but its predatory diet and egg-laying reproduction require planning when keeping it with ornamental snails or maintaining a controlled population.
Hedgehog Snail (Brotia armata)

The hedgehog snail, Brotia armata, is a large freshwater pachychilid recognized by its strongly ridged, spiny shell. It is a grazing and scavenging snail rather than a dedicated algae-control species, and it needs mature aquariums with clean, oxygenated water and adequate mineral content. Identification from photographs can be uncertain because several Brotia species have similar shell forms, so locality information is useful when confirming specimens.
Indian Malayan Louver Snail (Melanoides tuberculata)

Melanoides tuberculata is a small, conical freshwater snail commonly known in aquaria as the Malaysian trumpet snail. It spends much of the day burrowing through substrate and becomes more active after dark. This adaptable species consumes biofilm, algae, detritus and uneaten food, while generally leaving healthy plants alone. Its live-bearing reproduction can produce a large population when food is abundant. The name supplied for this article is retained, although common names vary and aquarium specimens may be confused with related thiarid snails.
Green staghorn snail (Clithon corona)

The green staghorn snail, Clithon corona, is a nerite snail valued for grazing algae and biofilm in freshwater aquariums. It is generally peaceful, plant-safe and unlikely to overpopulate in freshwater because its larvae normally require brackish or marine conditions. Provide mature surfaces for grazing, mineral-rich water and a secure lid. Identification can be difficult because aquarium trade names overlap among Clithon species, so the supplied name should be treated as a probable identification rather than a definitive one.
Geweihschnecke Tricolor (Clithon sp.)

Geweihschnecke Tricolor is a trade name for a colourful horned nerite in the genus Clithon. Exact species identification is uncertain because several closely related Clithon species and colour forms are sold under similar names. These small algae-grazing snails suit mature freshwater aquariums with stable, mineral-rich water. They are generally peaceful, plant-safe and unable to establish a large population in ordinary freshwater, although they may leave small white egg capsules on hard surfaces.
Geweihschnecke Red Venom (Clithon sowerbianum)

The Red Venom Geweihschnecke is a striking horned nerite sold for freshwater aquariums. Its dark shell, red-orange bands and small projections make it distinctive, although trade names and shell patterns can overlap among Clithon species. It is mainly a grazer of algae and biofilm, is generally safe with healthy plants, and usually cannot establish a self-sustaining population in freshwater because its larvae require different conditions.
Geweihschnecke Volcano Red (Clithon sowerbianum)

The Volcano Red Geweihschnecke is a small freshwater nerite-type snail sold under the scientific name Clithon sowerbianum. Its shell commonly shows red, orange, brown, and dark patterns, with horn-like projections in some individuals. It grazes algae and biofilm from hard surfaces without normally damaging healthy plants. Identification and the exact validity or spelling of the supplied scientific name should be treated with some caution because aquarium trade names and Clithon nomenclature are not always used consistently.
Yellow Baby Poso Snail, Tylomelania sp.

The Yellow Baby Poso Snail is a juvenile Tylomelania identified in the trade as Tylomelania sp. Its yellow to golden body contrasts with a dark, strongly ribbed shell. The “Poso” name suggests a Sulawesi lake lineage, but the exact species and locality cannot be confirmed from the supplied trade name or photographs alone. This is a freshwater snail for warm, mineral-rich aquariums and should be kept with peaceful tank mates that will not damage its soft body or feelers.
Gelbe Rennschnecke (Vittina waigiensis)

Vittina waigiensis is a nerite snail kept for grazing algae and biofilm on aquarium glass, rocks and hardscape. Its rounded shell may show yellow, orange or reddish tones with dark markings, but commercial names are not always applied consistently. Identification from photographs alone can be uncertain, so shell pattern should be checked against a reliable taxonomic reference. Adults are generally peaceful and do not normally damage healthy aquarium plants.
Devil's Thorn Snail (Faunus ater)

Faunus ater is a large, elongated pachychilid snail from tropical Indo-West Pacific waters. It is associated with freshwater streams, rivers and estuarine habitats, and aquarium specimens are often kept in freshwater or mildly brackish conditions. Its dark, banded or reddish-brown shell is distinctive, although identification from photographs alone can be uncertain. It is generally peaceful, plant-safe and slow to reproduce in typical freshwater aquaria.
Deadpool Rennschnecke (Vittina waigiensis)

Vittina waigiensis is a nerite snail sold in the aquarium trade under names such as Deadpool Rennschnecke, usually referring to a striking red shell with dark patterning. It is a peaceful algae grazer that generally leaves healthy plants alone. Adults can live in freshwater aquariums, but successful reproduction requires brackish or marine conditions during the larval stage. The trade name and shell pattern are not sufficient for absolute identification, so the species assignment should be treated as provisional unless confirmed by specialist examination.
Cappuccino Snail (Faunus ater)

Faunus ater is a large pachychilid snail associated with tropical rivers, streams and estuarine environments across parts of the Indo-Pacific. Its dark, elongated shell commonly has reddish-brown, orange or pale bands toward the tip. In aquaria it is generally a peaceful grazer that feeds on algae, biofilm and sinking foods. Successful reproduction is unusual in ordinary freshwater tanks because its life cycle includes free-floating larvae requiring suitable water conditions.
Bubble snail (Physa sp.)

Bubble snails sold or observed under Physa sp. are small freshwater bladder snails commonly introduced with aquatic plants. They graze on algae, biofilm and soft organic residues, and usually leave healthy plants alone. Their rapid reproduction can make them conspicuous in well-fed aquariums. Exact species identification is uncertain from the supplied name and images, so care guidance is presented for Physa-type freshwater snails rather than a single confirmed species.
Brown Ramshorn Snail (Planorbella duryi duryi)

The brown ramshorn snail is a freshwater planorbid recognized by its flat, coiled shell and air-breathing habit. Planorbella duryi duryi is generally peaceful and useful as a scavenger, although it can reproduce rapidly when food is abundant. The supplied photographs show a brown ramshorn-like snail, but shell appearance alone cannot confirm the subspecies; this article follows the supplied identification while noting that limitation.