Orange Poso Rabbit Snail (Tylomelania sp. )

Orange Poso Rabbit Snail (Tylomelania sp.) — A Warm Jewel from the Ancient Lakes of Sulawesi

The Orange Poso Rabbit Snail (Tylomelania sp.) is one of the most vibrant and characterful freshwater snails available in the hobby. Endemic to the ancient Lake Poso in Sulawesi, Indonesia, this large, slow-moving snail is instantly recognisable by its elongated, turreted dark shell and rich, warm orange body — a bold colouration that glows beautifully against dark substrate and lush green planting. With its distinctive rabbit-like face and deliberate, unhurried movement, the Orange Poso Rabbit Snail is as endearing in personality as it is striking in appearance.

Warm Colour, Gentle Character

Rabbit Snails are among the most personable snails in the freshwater hobby. Their elongated bodies, expressive faces, and slow, methodical movement give them a charm that is entirely their own. The Orange Poso variety’s vivid warm-orange body creates a stunning contrast against its dark shell and the aquarium substrate, making it a natural focal point wherever it roams. Unlike many snails, Rabbit Snails are livebearers that reproduce slowly — producing only one or two offspring at a time — making population control effortless.

Care Profile

• Scientific Name: Tylomelania sp. (Orange Poso)
• Origin: Lake Poso, Sulawesi, Indonesia — ancient, mineral-rich freshwater lake
• Size: Up to 8–10 cm
• Temperament: Completely peaceful; safe with fish, shrimp, and plants
• Diet: Omnivore — grazes on algae, biofilm, soft plant matter, and organic detritus; supplement with blanched vegetables, algae wafers, and sinking pellets
• Water Temperature: 26–30°C (requires warmer water than most freshwater snails — a heater is essential)
• pH: 7.5–8.5 (prefers hard, alkaline water reflecting its Lake Poso origins)
• Tank Size: Suitable from 40L upward; benefits from open substrate for foraging
• Breeding: Livebearing; produces one offspring at a time — population growth is very slow and manageable
• Note: Requires warm, hard, alkaline water — not suitable for soft or acidic setups. Avoid housing with assassin snails or any species that may prey on them.

Aquascape Compatibility

The Orange Poso Rabbit Snail is plant-safe and an excellent companion for peaceful fish and dwarf shrimp. It thrives in warm, well-filtered aquariums with open sandy or fine-gravel substrate for foraging, driftwood, and leaf litter. It pairs beautifully with other Sulawesi species — Cardinal Sulawesi shrimp and other Tylomelania varieties — in a dedicated Sulawesi biotope setup.

Warm, gentle, and endlessly charming — the Orange Poso Rabbit Snail is the living jewel that brings colour, character, and calm to your planted aquarium.