Giant ramshorn snail

The Giant ramshorn snail (Marisa cornuarietis) is a large freshwater mollusk belonging to the Ampullariidae family. While sometimes kept as an exotic species, it is widely recognized as a major pest in both professional hydroponic systems and planted aquaria due to its destructive feeding habits on vascular plants.

Taxonomically, it belongs to the order Architaenioglossa. It features a distinct planispiral shell and an operculum, which protects the animal from predators and temporary dry conditions. These biological traits contribute to its resilience, making it difficult to eradicate once it is established in an aquatic system.

The range of damaged plants is extensive.

• Cryptocoryne species
• Echinodorus
• Anubias
• Lemna (duckweed)

In terms of biology and life cycle, the species is gonochoristic (separate sexes). Females lay gelatinous egg clutches on hard surfaces or plant stems submerged in water. Their developmental speed is highly dependent on water temperature; in warmer climates or heated indoor systems, the reproductive cycle is accelerated, leading to rapid population outbreaks.

Damage caused by this snail includes significant tissue loss, which impairs plant photosynthesis and weakens the root structure, often leading to total plant death. Effective control measures involve physical removal, the use of snail traps baited with vegetables, and careful quarantine of new plants to prevent the introduction of eggs into clean systems.