Tylomelania towutensis Yellow Spotted Rabbit Snail
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IMPORTANT
Keeping fish in an aquarium requires an ethical and responsible approach that prioritizes animal welfare. Purchasing fish for an aquarium should never be an impulsive decision. It is essential to understand the specific needs of each species, including water quality, aquarium size, behavior, and diet. Only fish with similar water quality requirements should be kept together in the same aquarium.
A Little More Information...
Tylomelania towutensis, also known as the Yellow Spotted Rabbit Snail, is a remarkable freshwater snail native to Sulawesi, Indonesia. Its unusual appearance comes from an elongated shell and a dark body marked with yellow spots, giving it a distinctive presence in the aquarium. Like several Tylomelania from the Malili lake system, it prefers warm, mineral-rich, well-oxygenated water. This species remains less common in the aquarium trade than more familiar cleanup snails. At Ton.Fish, it is offered exclusively in Canada and is best suited to aquarists who can maintain stable water conditions.
General description, origin and diet
Tylomelania towutensis is a freshwater gastropod in the Pachychilidae family, endemic to Lake Towuti in southeastern Sulawesi, Indonesia. It occurs along the lake margins and on the bottom, particularly in rocky, sandy or woody-debris areas where water movement is low to moderate. Its tall, elongated shell can reach approximately 10 to 12 cm in adults, while the grey-brown to black body carries contrasting yellow spots. Peaceful by nature, it moves mainly across the substrate and is often more active after dark. Its diet consists primarily of biofilm, algae and organic matter collected from surfaces. In an aquarium, this can be supplemented with vegetable-based wafers, blanched vegetables and calcium-rich foods. Predatory fish and copper-containing products should be avoided.
Appearance and physical characteristics
The shell of Tylomelania towutensis is tall, coiled and generally olive-brown to dark brown, with individual variation in the density of its markings. The body is dark and highlighted by yellow spots, which become especially visible as the snail moves. Like other rabbit snails, it has a long muscular foot and two sensory tentacles. Growth and coloration depend on water quality, available food and environmental stability. Very soft water may contribute to shell erosion, so adequate calcium availability is important. This species is slow-moving and non-aggressive, but its adult size calls for a spacious aquarium with a smooth substrate and grazing surfaces.
Essential data
- River of origin: Lake Towuti; associated with the Larona River system
- Local name used: Tylomelania; rabbit snail
- Origin of the scientific name: The genus Tylomelania was established for freshwater snails from Sulawesi; the species epithet towutensis refers to Lake Towuti
- Full-name etymology: Tylomelania combines Greek roots associated with a protuberance and black; towutensis means “from Towuti”
- Common/vernacular names: Yellow Spotted Rabbit Snail, yellow-spotted rabbit snail
- Family: Pachychilidae
- Subfamily: Pachychilinae
- Name pronunciation: tie-loh-meh-LAH-nee-ah - toh-woo-TEN-sis
- Discovery: Paul Sarasin and Fritz Sarasin, 1897
- Maximum adult size: Approximately 10 to 12 cm
- Water temperature and pH: 26 to 30 °C; pH 7.5 to 8.5
- Appearance of the watercourse and surrounding vegetation: Large tropical lake with rocky and sandy shores; shoreline vegetation and submerged wood, with locally sparse aquatic vegetation
- Typical tankmates: Telmatherina celebensis, Paratherina striata, Oryzias marmoratus, Caridina spp., other Tylomelania spp.
- Temperament and behaviour: Peaceful, bottom-dwelling and slow-moving; activity often increases in the evening and at night
- Water depth: Shallow to moderately deep littoral areas
- Sexual dimorphism: No reliable external feature is generally used in aquaria
- Bottom structure and flow: Rocks, sand and plant debris; low to moderate flow depending on the area
In your aquarium
To keep Tylomelania towutensis successfully, provide a mature aquarium with warm, alkaline and well-mineralized water, along with efficient filtration that does not create excessive current. Add smooth stones, wood and resting areas; avoid sharp substrates and copper-based treatments. Regular supplementary feeding helps prevent weight loss when natural biofilm is limited. Pay close attention to the shell, activity level and condition of the foot. With its specialized needs and more limited availability, this species is best suited to a careful aquarist. Stable parameters, calcium and the absence of predators are the key factors for maintaining an active, healthy snail.
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