TankBud

Japanese trapdoor snail

Cipangopaludina malleata

FreshwaterSnail

Japanese trapdoor snail (Cipangopaludina malleata)
(c) りなべる, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by

Care at a glance

Temperature
64–77°F
18–25°C
pH
6.5–8.0
Adult size
2 in
5 cm
Minimum tank
8 gal
30 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Livebearer · Medium
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Viviparidae
Origin
Japan

Overview

The Japanese trapdoor snail is a hardy, peaceful grazer for freshwater tanks and ponds. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

The Japanese trapdoor snail takes its name from the operculum, a tough plate on its foot. The plate seals the shell mouth like a door when the snail withdraws. It guards against drying out and predators, and it lets the snail ride out cold spells that would stop most tropical snails.

Caring for the Japanese trapdoor snail

Give Japanese trapdoor snails a tank of at least 8 gal (30 L), with a soft substrate, some plants and gentle filtration. They tolerate a wide range and even cool water, which makes them a common pick for unheated tanks and ponds.

Keep the water at 64 to 77°F (18 to 25°C) with a pH of 6.5 to 8.0. Harder water with enough minerals supports a solid shell. Copper harms snails, so keep it out of the tank.

Japanese trapdoor snails graze the glass, plants and substrate for algae, biofilm and waste. They do not touch healthy plants.

They are calm and get along with fish, shrimp and other snails, and a single snail needs no company. They give birth to live young slowly, so they will not swamp a tank. The female broods her young inside and delivers small, fully formed snails a few at a time.

Good to know

Cipangopaludina malleata belongs to the Viviparidae, the family of livebearing river snails. It has a rounded, olive to brown shell.

In the wild

The Japanese trapdoor snail comes from Japan and nearby East Asia. It lives in ponds, rice paddies, ditches and slow rivers with muddy bottoms. Those waters swing with the seasons, so it is used to cool as well as mild temperatures.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Japanese trapdoor snail is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Japanese trapdoor snail need?

A Japanese trapdoor snail needs at least 8 gal (30 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Japanese trapdoor snail need?

A Japanese trapdoor snail is comfortable at 64–77°F (18–25°C) with a pH of 6.5–8.0.

What does a Japanese trapdoor snail eat?

A Japanese trapdoor snail grazes the glass, plants and substrate for algae, biofilm and waste. It leaves healthy plants alone.

How big does a Japanese trapdoor snail get?

An adult Japanese trapdoor snail reaches about 2 in (5 cm).

How does a Japanese trapdoor snail breed?

Japanese trapdoor snails give birth to live young, slowly enough that they will not swamp a tank. The female broods her young inside and delivers small, fully formed snails a few at a time.

Related species