Snail Name: Yellow Cone Snail, Elephant Snail (Tylomelania sp. Yellow)

Origin: Sulawesi (lake Poso), Indonesia

Description: Sometimes classified as an oddball type of snail because of their unique appearances, the Yellow Cone snail looks like an elephant with a trunk. The Yellow Cone snail is from Sulawesi and has a hardened cone shell with thick ridges. The external part of the shell has varying colors ranging from brown, Yellow to black. Internally it looks yellow including the elephant like trunk shape. Other Tylomelania species have varying colors and designs yet still sharing the conical shape. Tylomelania snails herbivores and their diet consists of algae, plants and dead leaves. These snails are reputed to be scavenger detrivores. When fully mature they average between 10 – 12cm lengthwise.

Water Parameters: A high pH of 6.5 – 8.0 should be sufficient enough. They adjust well to different water parameters including soft to hard water. Avoid acidic water as this would result in the melting away of their hard shells. Warmer temperatures of 22°C – 26° should be observed. Regular water changes should be conducted to reduce any losses in the aquarium.

Sexing: Unknown, but they are NOT hermaphrodites.

Breeding: These are livebearing snails. They readily breed but the growth rate is extremely slow. Even their breeding mechanism takes time. They do not rapidly breed like some snails.

Compatibility: They are compatible with many aquarium inhabitants. A cautionary approach should be taken when mixing them with Assassin snails.