Miniature snail or Planorbids: discreet cleaner for nano-aquariums, natural aquariums, and ponds
A very rare, tiny, and perfectly hardy species
The Planorbids (Gyraudus sp.) are tiny freshwater snails related to ramshorn snails, but very different. As adults, they do not exceed 5 mm in diameter and are only 1 mm thick! Their shells are very flat and translucent when viewed against the light. Strictly detritivorous (microalgae, biofilm, waste) and completely harmless to plants, they are perfectly suited to nano-tanks and fry tanks, and can stay outdoors through the winter, even in the coldest weather, in ponds or tub ponds.
Why choose planorbids for a natural aquarium?
- Nano-tank cleaner snail: grazes on microalgae and biofilm.
- Ultra-discreet: miniature size, indispensable in nano-aquariums.
- Harmless to plants. Its diet consists strictly of algae and detritus.
- Useful biodiversity: completes the low-tech cleanup crew in every aquarium!
- Hardy: overwinters outdoors without difficulty in our latitudes.
- A rarity in the aquarium hobby (practically impossible to find commercially)
Introduction and use advice
- Gently acclimate it, then release it into your aquarium or pond.
- If there are fish that might accidentally swallow it, introduce it preferably after nightfall.
- Population regulated by food: it will multiply when abundant waste is present, then decline once the problem is resolved.
- Compatibility: perfect with shrimp and small, peaceful fish. Avoid snail-eating predatory fish (e.g., Tetraodons) if you wish to preserve the colony.
- Pond and tub pond: excellent in the presence of filamentous algae, which serve as both food and shelter.
- Respiration: a lunged snail also capable of cutaneous respiration underwater, very comfortable in calm water.
Possible uses
- Nano-aquariums and shrimp tanks: gentle maintenance, discreet presence, perfectly sized!
- Fry tanks: gentle cleaning without risk to plants.
- Outdoor tubs and ponds: year-round keeping, helping control microalgae and completing the aquatic biological cycle.
FAQ - Planorbids (miniature snail)
Can it invade the aquarium?
Unlikely: the available food naturally regulates the population. Avoid overfeeding fish, which would make its proliferation inevitable (and useful!).
Does it eat plants?
No. As a detritivore, it feeds on organic debris, microalgae, and biofilm present on the walls, not on plants.
Is it suitable for nano tanks?
Yes, it is even its ideal environment: miniature size, ultra-discreet visual impact.
Can it stay outdoors in winter?
Yes, the planorbids overwinter very well in ponds or outdoor tubs in our latitudes, even in the most severe cold.
Is it protected?
No (unlike a close relative of the genus Anisus). Never release aquarium animals into the wild, even if the species is already present there. It's a principle.
Additional information
- Scientific name: Gyraudus sp.
- Size: maximum diameter of 5 mm, 1 mm thick!
- Use: miniature detritivore snail for aquariums or ponds
- Advice: there is no need to feed them, as they thrive on algae, various detritus, and bacteria.
- Packaging: 6 snails packaged in a heat-sealed bag, with an amount of water and air suited to their number (approximate weight: 25 g).
- Guarantee: our snails are raised in natural aquarium conditions. They are collected and packaged on the morning of shipment. None are collected from the wild.
- Recommendation: please never release these snails into the wild, even if they are sometimes naturally present there. Our aquatic ecosystems are very fragile.
