Home > Invertebrates > Shells > Freshwater > Melanoides tuberculata

updated 12/16/2013

Family Thiaridae

HAWAII

Melanoides tuberculata 

Kanewai Spring, Kuli'ou'ou, Oahu
Niu pond, Oahu

RED-RIM MELANIA

Abundant in freshwater pools and streams where it hides in mud, emerging at night to graze.  An invasive pest which harbors parasitic trematodes and competes with native snails for algae.  Attains 3 inches.  Native to North Africa & South Asia. http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=1037