Product Details

Yellow Poso Rabbit Snail – Tylomelania cf. sarasinorum

Overview:

The Yellow Poso Rabbit Snail is a beautiful Sulawesi freshwater snail with a warm yellow to golden body, long rabbit-like antennae and an elongated spiral shell. Sold in the hobby as Tylomelania sarasinorum, Yellow Rabbit Snail, Golden Sulawesi Rabbit Snail or Elephant Snail, this peaceful invertebrate is ideal for mature tropical aquariums with stable, mineral-rich water. It is slow-moving, unusual and full of character, but it should not be treated as a disposable algae cleaner; it needs proper feeding, calcium availability and copper-free water.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Yellow Poso Rabbit Snail
Other Names: Yellow Rabbit Snail, Golden Rabbit Snail, Golden Sulawesi Rabbit Snail, Elephant Snail, Sulawesi Rabbit Snail, Yellow Poso Snail
Scientific Name: Tylomelania cf. sarasinorum
Invertebrate Type: Freshwater Snail / Rabbit Snail
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Tylomelania rabbit snails are endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, with many species restricted to ancient lake systems such as Lake Poso and the Malili Lakes. Practical Fishkeeping notes that Tylomelania occur in Lake Poso, the Malili lake system and connected waters, using both hard and soft substrates, with high densities often found in shallow areas.

In the aquarium, they should be given a mature setup with stable warm water, sand or smooth substrate, rocks, wood, biofilm and enough dissolved minerals to maintain healthy shell growth.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Yellow Poso Rabbit Snails have a long, ridged, cone-shaped shell that is usually dark brown to black, often with worn or pale tips in older individuals. The body is the main attraction, ranging from golden yellow to mustard or lemon-yellow depending on the individual. Their long antennae, extended head and slow grazing movement give them the “rabbit” or “elephant” snail look.

Adults usually reach around 5–8 cm, though size varies by exact form and age. German aquarium trade references list Tylomelania sarasinorum at around 4–8 cm, while some rabbit snail forms may grow larger.

Aquarium Suitability:

This is a peaceful invertebrate for mature planted aquariums, Sulawesi-style setups and calm tropical community tanks. It suits aquariums with sand, smooth stones, wood, leaf litter and established grazing surfaces. It is not suitable for brand-new tanks, acidic soft-water aquariums, copper-treated systems or tanks with snail-eating fish.

Most healthy plants are usually left alone if the snail is well fed, but very soft or decaying leaves may be grazed. Delicate aquascapes should be monitored, as large snails may push through fine planting while foraging.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 50–60 litres for a small group, with larger aquariums preferred for multiple adults. A mature aquarium with a stable biofilm layer is more important than simply meeting a small litre figure.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 24–29°C
pH: 7.2–8.5
Hardness: Moderately hard to hard preferred
Additional Notes: Stable mineral-rich water is important for shell health. Avoid soft acidic water, sudden parameter swings and low calcium availability. Rabbit snails are sensitive to copper-based medications and many invertebrate-unsafe treatments.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Invertebrate

Yellow Poso Rabbit Snails are peaceful and safe with most calm fish and shrimp. Suitable tank mates include small peaceful tetras, rasboras, rainbowfish, Cory-type catfish, Otocinclus, bristlenose plecs, peaceful livebearers in compatible water and dwarf shrimp that tolerate similar conditions.

Avoid loaches that eat snails, pufferfish, large cichlids, crayfish, aggressive crabs and any fish known to nip antennae or crush shells. They can be kept singly, but are usually more interesting in small groups.

Feeding:

Yellow Poso Rabbit Snails are omnivorous grazers and detritus feeders. Offer algae wafers, sinking invertebrate foods, spirulina tablets, blanched courgette, spinach, cucumber, green beans and calcium-rich snail foods. They will also graze biofilm, soft algae, leftover fish food and decaying plant matter.

Do not rely on natural algae alone, especially in clean aquariums. Remove uneaten vegetables before they foul the water.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This snail spends most of its time slowly grazing over sand, rocks, wood and glass. It may bury partly into soft substrate or rest for long periods before becoming active again. Rabbit snails are livebearing rather than egg-laying, producing single, well-developed young at a slow rate, so they do not usually overrun aquariums like pest snails. General Tylomelania references describe the group as viviparous/ovoviviparous, producing shelled juveniles rather than egg clutches.

Care Notes:

Use a mature aquarium with stable warm water and avoid copper. Provide calcium through mineral-rich water, specialist snail foods or safe calcium supplements if needed. Poor shell growth, pitting or erosion usually indicates unsuitable water chemistry or diet. Acclimate slowly, as Sulawesi snails can react badly to sudden changes. Do not keep with snail predators. Never release unwanted snails outdoors.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Occasional / Specialist Sulawesi snail / Captive-bred or imported depending on supplier

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the snail you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, shell wear, body colour, pattern and markings can occur between individual snails.