Description
Japanese Trapdoor Snail
Japanese Trapdoor Snails are hardy, attractive freshwater snails known for their smooth, rounded shells and unique hinged “trapdoor,” which they use to seal themselves safely inside. Unlike many snail species, they do not leave fertilized eggs scattered throughout the tank—making them one of the cleanest, most beginner-friendly snails to keep. Highly efficient scavengers, they help maintain excellent water quality by eating leftover food, algae, and decaying plant matter.
Peaceful and plant-safe, Japanese Trapdoor Snails thrive in ponds and larger aquariums. Their steady grazing, calm behavior, and beautifully patterned shells make them a functional and eye-catching addition to any freshwater setup.
Common Names: Japanese Trapdoor Snail, JTS, Chinese Mystery Snail (related but pattern varies)
Size: 1.5–3 inches (3.8–7.6 cm)
Color: Olive, brown, gold, or dark patterned shells with smooth, rounded shape
Lifespan: 3–5+ years with proper care
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons per snail (more space preferred)
Temperature: 60–82°F (16–28°C)
Temperament: Peaceful, slow-moving scavenger
Diet: Algae, leftover fish food, decaying plant matter, and calcium-rich veggies/wafers
Care Tips:
• Provide calcium-rich foods or supplements to support strong shell growth
• Keep a secure lid—while not escape-prone like Nerites, they may explore above the waterline
• Maintain good filtration and regular water changes, as they’re sensitive to ammonia spikes
• Offer soft algae and sinking foods if natural algae is limited
• Ideal for ponds due to their size and cold tolerance
Ideal For:
• Larger aquariums and outdoor ponds
• Aquarists wanting a hardy cleanup snail that doesn’t overpopulate
• Tanks with leftover food or mild algae issues
• Hobbyists seeking a peaceful, long-lived invertebrate
Add a Japanese Trapdoor Snail to your setup and enjoy its excellent cleaning abilities, gentle nature, and the charming trapdoor feature that makes it one of the most unique and practical snails in the freshwater hobby!
Fish Quarantine Process
At 10 Gallon Fish Tanks, we take the health of our fish seriously. Every fish we bring in undergoes a strict 2-4 week quarantine process to ensure they are free of parasites, fungal infections, and bacterial diseases before being introduced to our main tanks.
During this quarantine period, fish are treated with the “Med Trio” as needed:
• Paracleanse – Targets internal & External parasites like worms and protozoans. Things like fish lice, tapeworms, hole in the head, skin and gill flukes.
• Ich-X – Treats external parasites and fungus. Treats Ich and white spot disease.
• Maracyn – An antibiotic that combats bacterial infections, preventing issues like fin rot, skin redness, open wounds, swollen eyes etc.
This quarantine protocol ensures that every fish we sell are healthy, acclimated to Tennessee water, and ready to thrive in their new home.
Water Parameters for Healthy Fish
To help you achieve the best results when acclimating your new fish, we’ve included a photo showing the exact water parameters we maintain in our tanks. These values are carefully monitored and kept stable, ensuring that each fish grows and thrives in a healthy, natural environment.
By following these parameters at home, you can provide the smoothest transition possible for your fish, helping them settle in quickly and comfortably. We’re dedicated to setting you up for success with your new fish, and sharing these details is part of our commitment to their health and your enjoyment.
Shipping Information:
- Our fish, shrimp, & snails are carefully packaged in breathable bags.
- The shipping box is well-insulated to maintain optimal conditions. In most cases, additional heating or cooling packs are not necessary. However, to ensure the health and survival of the fish, shrimp, & snails it is essential that they are brought indoors promptly upon arrival, particularly in extreme weather conditions (either hot or cold). Please monitor the tracking number for updates on the estimated delivery time.
- We ship on Mondays (unless you have a special requested shipping time) with all orders processed by 10 AM. We currently only ship within the United States.
- If there are extreme weather conditions, we may postpone shipments until weather is better to make sure your shrimp arrive safely.
- In the unlikely event of a DOA (Dead on Arrival), we will refund the cost of the fish, shrimp, or snail provided that a photograph of the deceased animal, is still in the packaging, and is submitted within 1 hour of delivery of the package. Please note that any additional shipping costs for the replacement are the responsibility of the buyer. While our shipping methods are designed to minimize the risk of DOA, we cannot control the handling by postal employees or drivers.
We are committed to ensuring your satisfaction with your order. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns.
