Apple snail

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

starlit_rain

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 21, 2007
18
0
0
America
I really would like an apple snail and was wondering what the pros and cons of keeping this snail is. also do they need another snail to reproduce or can they reproduce with just itself? :confused:
 
they have both male and femal organs but cannot self reproduce .

but they do get the food your fish miss .
and there population cannot get out of control
 
frasertheking;1146014; said:
they have both male and femal organs but cannot self reproduce .

but they do get the food your fish miss .
and there population cannot get out of control

nooo.. they don't, because to sex them you have to look for the male's "penis sheath", with females.. well the obviously lack the penis ;)

apple snails will not eat plants, only decaying plants will get eaten.

As for care.. easy.
feed them steamed veggies(unless you want to wait for it to rot), sinking pellets ect.
They get as big as a golf ball.
Even if they do breed, they lay large clutches above the water line, so they can easily be picked off and sent to me ;)
 
starlit_rain;1146008; said:
I really would like an apple snail and was wondering what the pros and cons of keeping this snail is. also do they need another snail to reproduce or can they reproduce with just itself? :confused:


I've had a handful over the years. Easy care, they clean up what fish leave behind and I like to watch them move around the tank. Drop in some algae wafers or shrimp pellets if needed for feeding.

The only negative I can think of is they are large and tend to smash through all your neatly laid out live plants. They can drive you crazy if your plants are not well anchored down.
 
i also put a calcium tablet (500 mg calcium carbonate tablets) into the filter outlet on each tank once a week for the snails' shells. it has made a big difference.. their shells are stronger and prettier now.

they clean up all the algae, and extra food in the tanks, and when i put in veggies for the plecos the snails always get some of that too..
 
Oops.. I forgot the calcium.
Here:
1 jar of baby food, any fruit or veggie kind
1 pack or unflavored gelatin, I use knox
1tsp of fish flakes(crushed) or crushed algae wafer
1tsp calcium powder(crushed pills or reptile calcium suppliment)
Heat the jar of baby food in the microwvae until it's very hot, mix it with the gelatin then add calcium suppliment and flakes.. cool it in your fridge.
It can last for about a week until you should throw it away.
This is enough for about 10+ snails to eat for a while. so make about as much as you think you'll need ;)
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com