Red-rimmed melania (Melanoides Tuberculata) is the common name of this freshwater snail that belongs to the family Thiaridae. Its name comes from the red spots on the shell.
The species name is sometimes spelled Melanoides tuberculatus, which is incorrect, due to Olivier in 1804.
The species is native to northern Africa and Southern Asia, but has been accidentally introduced to many other tropical and subtropical areas.
In translation it means Malay trumpet.
Feeding Melanoides Tuberculata
It feeds on algae and food debris, which makes it an excellent aquarium sanitary. It can be additionally fed with vegetables or shellfish food (supplements the intake of minerals necessary for the development of the shell) but most of the times the resources of fish meals are enough for them.
Features Melanoides Tuberculata
Melanoides tuberculata is an aquarium snail very easy to maintain and breed, but which is considered beneficial for an aquarium, due to the fact that it will consume the remains of food and algae and, by its continuous movement through the substrate, will ensure its aeration. During the day, it tends to hide in the substrate, which is where its name comes from, being more active during the night.
We can never figure out the true population that exists in our aquarium unless we turn off the light and turn it on after 2-3 hours of darkness. In a short time, the population increases greatly and gives the impression that the substrate is moving due to their movements. This is an advantage for plants because it aerates their roots. Their only drawback is that they penetrate everywhere, even into the filter. sometimes dozens of these snails are seen on the surface of the water, which is a sign of poor water quality.
Reproduction Melanoides Tuberculata
Sexual dimorphism: unlike many of its other relatives, it is not a hermaphrodite snail; males are slightly larger than females.
It is a snail that gives birth to live, ready-formed offspring.
