Just to increase awareness regarding the snails, the following will be posted.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Why are some snails illegal? Why are some legal?
2. What makes them illegal?
3. Why should they not be released?
4. Which ones are illegal for transport?
5. How do I secure permits necessary in order to ship snails?
Recently, there have been some people who sell illegal species to customers who are unaware of what they are getting into. Here is the thread by msjinkzd, a member across MAN sites and her troubles prompting her to write the post as a reminder for everyone.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173265
Legal:
Pomacea bridgesii “mystery snail”- these snails are not plant eaters but REQUIRE permits to sell across state lines. Make sure your seller has these permits PLEASE! It is ONLY legal to sell the snails, it is ALWAYS illegal to sell the eggs.
Edit: It is no longer illegal to ship these snails without permits.
Malaysian Trumpet Snails- no restrictions
Common ramshorns (Planorbis sp.)- no legal restrictions
Common pond/tadpole snails (Physas sp.)- no legal restrictions
Anentome Helena “assassin snails”- no current restrictions
Nerites- no current restrictions, although there are some state by state broad-based import laws
Japanese Trapdoors- not restricted
Illegal:
Asolene spixi “zebra apple”- these are banned from transport. These snails lay their eggs in clutches UNDER the water line, can interbreed with Columbian ramshorns and often eat plants as juveniles, even when not a mixed species.
Marisa cornuarietis “Columbian ramshorn”- Banned from transport.
Pomacea canaliculata “channeled apple snail”- banned from transport
Pomacea haustrum “triton apple snail”- banned from transport
Pomacea insularum - banned from transport
Pomacea paludosa “Florida apple snail, flapple”- banned from transport
These are just the most commonly seen; there are hundreds of apple snail species. If you choose to house any of these species, make sure to take proper precautions. Educate hobbyists if you decide to share them. DO NOT release them, DO NOT flush them, dispose of any unwanted snails responsibly. If anyone breeds their pomacea bridgesii and plans to sell them, please get permits. If you are having a hard time with the permit process, I would be happy to help. I will be doing a “how-to” write up soon.
In conclusion, it IS the hobbyist/buyers responsibility to do research on a species before getting them. If you house species, know what you have, how to identify it, and what to do with offspring. The restrictions that are in place are there for a reason. Your choices directly impact the hobby, make them wisely.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Why are some snails illegal? Why are some legal?
2. What makes them illegal?
3. Why should they not be released?
4. Which ones are illegal for transport?
5. How do I secure permits necessary in order to ship snails?
Recently, there have been some people who sell illegal species to customers who are unaware of what they are getting into. Here is the thread by msjinkzd, a member across MAN sites and her troubles prompting her to write the post as a reminder for everyone.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173265
Legal:
Pomacea bridgesii “mystery snail”- these snails are not plant eaters but REQUIRE permits to sell across state lines. Make sure your seller has these permits PLEASE! It is ONLY legal to sell the snails, it is ALWAYS illegal to sell the eggs.
Edit: It is no longer illegal to ship these snails without permits.
Malaysian Trumpet Snails- no restrictions
Common ramshorns (Planorbis sp.)- no legal restrictions
Common pond/tadpole snails (Physas sp.)- no legal restrictions
Anentome Helena “assassin snails”- no current restrictions
Nerites- no current restrictions, although there are some state by state broad-based import laws
Japanese Trapdoors- not restricted
Illegal:
Asolene spixi “zebra apple”- these are banned from transport. These snails lay their eggs in clutches UNDER the water line, can interbreed with Columbian ramshorns and often eat plants as juveniles, even when not a mixed species.
Marisa cornuarietis “Columbian ramshorn”- Banned from transport.
Pomacea canaliculata “channeled apple snail”- banned from transport
Pomacea haustrum “triton apple snail”- banned from transport
Pomacea insularum - banned from transport
Pomacea paludosa “Florida apple snail, flapple”- banned from transport
These are just the most commonly seen; there are hundreds of apple snail species. If you choose to house any of these species, make sure to take proper precautions. Educate hobbyists if you decide to share them. DO NOT release them, DO NOT flush them, dispose of any unwanted snails responsibly. If anyone breeds their pomacea bridgesii and plans to sell them, please get permits. If you are having a hard time with the permit process, I would be happy to help. I will be doing a “how-to” write up soon.
In conclusion, it IS the hobbyist/buyers responsibility to do research on a species before getting them. If you house species, know what you have, how to identify it, and what to do with offspring. The restrictions that are in place are there for a reason. Your choices directly impact the hobby, make them wisely.
