Snail

Snails (Freshwater)

General Info: Snails can be used as scavengers in tanks or small bowls. They eat extra food, algae, and vegetation which is beginning to decay.

Housing: They adapt to most water conditions, although acidic water should be avoided. For best results keep them in well established tanks, and maintain a slightly alkaline pH. They are sensitive to medications containing copper sulfate and to a lesser extent malachite green. They do well in well planted tanks with some algae growth.

Feeding: They will find their own food on the bottom. They enjoy grazing on algae. Their diet can be supplemented by a group of anachris.

Problems: The biggest complaint against snails is they can over-run a tank. This usually does not happen with Mystery Snails, and Ramshorn Snails. Sometimes unwanted small snails are introduced (often with a live plant). The best way to control their population is to prevent extra food from accumulating in the gravel. They can also be eliminated with copper based medications (Snail-Rid).

Breeding: Mystery snails lay eggs outside the tank. Other snails lay egg masses on the glass or rocks.

Apple Snail Ampullaria sp. 1" 70-80 1+ A grazes on sides of tank; likes to nibble on plant leaves; keep with small peaceful fish; sensitive to copper based medications

Cone Snail melanoides sp. 0.5" 70-80 1+ A grazes on sides of tank; likes to nibble on plant leaves; a small snail that buries into gravel; keep with small peaceful fish; sensitive to copper based medications. A livebearer snail.

Giant Peruvian Snail

Gold Mystery Snail 2.5" A

Mystery Snail 2.5" 70-80 1+ A grazes on sides of tank; likes to nibble on plant leaves; small snails that bury into gravel; keep with small peaceful fish; sensitive to copper based medications; lays eggs out of water

Pond Snail Lymnaea sp. 1" 70-80 1+ A small snail that reproduces quickly; grazes on sides of tank; likes to nibble on plant leaves; buries into gravel; keep with small peaceful fish; sensitive to copper based medications

Ramshorn Snail Planorbis sp. 2" 70-80 1+ A grazes on sides of tank; likes to nibble on plant leaves; small snails that bury into gravel; keep with small peaceful fish; sensitive to copper based medications

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