POND SNAILS ADULT RAMSHORN EAT ALGAE UK NATIVE POND SNAIL

Ramshorn Snail-(Planorbids corneus) UK Native 🇬🇧 

Your snails will be a minimum of 12mm 1/2" If any smaller we will send 2 for 1.

Great time to add to your pond in colder temperatures 

Planorbarius corneus is the largest European species of Ramshorn snail (family Planorbidae), with a shell typically measuring 35 millimetres (1.4 in) across when fully-grow.

Please don’t confuse these with common Ramshorn snails being sold on ebay. These are the largest of the Ramshorn family and UK Native and bred.

Key characteristics

• A very large, dark, coiled shell
• Flattened on the underside but spire recessed on the upper side
• Whorls completely rounded with deep sutures
• Glossy brownish on the upper side, lighter, more olive-brown, on the underside, though often covered with dark brown, matt deposits
• Mouth wide and almost circular
• Growth lines coarse and irregular

The Ramshorn (Planorbis Corneus) is a relatively large species of air-breathing freshwater snail. Perfect for both fresh water tanks and all sizes of ponds, they feed on algae and enjoy ponds with high levels of calcium.

DO NOT PUT THESE IN INDOOR TANKS. THEY ARE UK NATIVE POND SNAILS AND WILL NOT SURVIVE. POND OR OUTDOOR TANK/CONTAINER ONLY

These snails tend to live around the pond margins feeding on algae and dead foliage, though they can feed on almost anything. They have adapted to tolerate low-oxygen waters, though prefer warmer water.

They are commonly brown in colour, though they can come in colours of red, blue and yellow. Selective breeding can be done to yield certain colours, though brown remains the dominant phenotype. As a hermaphrodite species that can self-reproduce and have a life span of up to 2 years. For overpopulated water, predators such as fish can help regain equilibrium.

WHEN TEMP ARE ABOVE 30 DEGREES ORDERS WILL BE HELD UNTIL BELOW

One of the Ramshorn's peculiarities is that they can swim on the surface of the water with their shell faced down, which is achieved by filling the shell with oxygen. If contacted during a swim the snail will release this oxygen and sink - a reflex developed to protect itself from predators.

As a useful guide we recommend 5-10 snails per m².

These lay small clusters of 12 to 40 eggs at a time on glass ,rock and leaves ,while it is a common belief that snails will over populate your pond or aquarium, this will only happen if there is a surplus of uneaten food and can be a good indication of over feeding.

Snails Manage Algae

Ramshorn snails go around the edges of your pond / Tank; they eat algae off the bottom, rocks, and sides. Ramshorn snails are also friendly to plants, meaning they will clean the stems and leaves without eating or damaging the actual plant. Indeed, they will only eat decaying plants. Colours vary but normally dark in colour.

Furthermore, Ramshorn snails are careful when it comes to grazing algae of a plant. Indeed, many are found of Ramshorn snails because they do not harm the plants in the pond; they merely scavenge around the stems and edges whilst only actively feeding on decaying plants.

Snails Reduce Levels Of Ammonia

Ammonia is an invisible killer for your pond / Tank. It is highly toxic and harmful to your fish. As such, it is better not to leave this hazard unchecked. But how does ammonia even enter your pond / Tank, to begin with?

In short, ammonia, a compound made of nitrogen and hydrogen, is released into the pond through waste. More specifically, it is spread through the breakdown of organic material. This includes various forms of waste and dirt, such as fish excrement, leftover food, dead plants, and decaying algae.

The Nitrogen Cycle

The Nitrogen cycle refers to the process that transforms ammonia into nitrate, which is eventually used to grow plants in your tank. However, a high level of nitrate in your pond will be harmful to the fish. Therefore, it is advised to clean the water and reduce the amount of nitrate in your pond.

As snails assist in reducing waste, thereby cleaning water overall, they indeed are a plus when it comes to safeguarding a healthy nitrogen cycle. Although snails can surely not take up the job themselves, they are natural and convenient little helpers nonetheless.

Average Size

Your snails will be a minimum of 12mm 1/2”. If any smaller we will send 2 for 1.These grow on average to around 2”. While there are instances where this species has exceeded this, it’s quite rare. There are a number of factors that influence the size of this species. The main ones are water quality, diet, and how well they were raised or bred before you got them. 

In short, freshwater snails are great for the ecosystem of your pond / Tank. As such, Ramshorn snails keep your water clean, take out the trash, eat organic leftovers, scrub the surface bottom, manage algae, and reduce levels of ammonia. A must in pond or tank.

Allow 5-10 snails per m². 

Ramshorn Snail Care & Live Arrival Guarantee

Acclimatisation on Arrival

When your Ramshorn Snails arrive, we recommend floating the unopened bag in your pond or aquarium for approximately 30–60 minutes to allow the water temperature to equalise.

It is perfectly normal for Ramshorn Snails to remain inside their shells after transport. Please allow 24–48 hours for them to recover and begin moving naturally. Transport can cause them to become inactive while they recover from the journey.

Please do not assume your snails are dead simply because they have not moved immediately after release. Given time in suitable water conditions, healthy Ramshorn Snails will usually recover and become active within 24–48 hours.

Hot Weather Dispatch

To protect the welfare of our livestock, orders will be held whenever forecast temperatures are expected to exceed 30°C during transit. Orders will be dispatched as soon as temperatures return to a safe level.

Packaging & Delivery

All Ramshorn Snails are professionally packed in fish-safe bags containing clean water and oxygen, before being placed inside a sturdy cardboard shipping box for maximum protection during transit. We never send live livestock in padded envelopes.

All live livestock is shipped using Royal Mail Tracked 24 Small Parcel. This is normally a next working day service; however, delivery times are not guaranteed, and occasional delays within the Royal Mail network are outside our control.

Live Arrival Guarantee

We proudly offer a Live Arrival Guarantee on all live livestock.

To qualify for this guarantee:

• The parcel must be received on the first delivery attempt.

• Someone must be available to accept delivery. If the parcel is left unattended, left in a safe place, with a neighbour, or is not opened promptly after delivery, our Live Arrival Guarantee is void.

• Snails must be acclimatised as described above and given at least 24–48 hours to recover before they are considered to have a problem.

• Any issues must be reported within 48 hours of delivery, together with clear photographs of the livestock and packaging.

Responsibility After Delivery

Once livestock has been introduced into your pond or aquarium, responsibility for their ongoing health passes to the customer.

We cannot accept responsibility for losses resulting from factors outside our control, including but not limited to:

• Water quality or water chemistry.

• Ammonia, nitrite or nitrate levels.

• Temperature fluctuations.

• Lack of oxygenation.

• Pond or aquarium conditions.

• Predation.

• Incorrect acclimatisation.

• Compatibility with existing livestock.

We are always happy to provide advice if you experience any questions or concerns after introducing your new Ramshorn Snails.