Are Apple Snails A Good Choice For An Aquarium?

[Eines]

I saw some apple snails at the pet store and they look awesome! Could someone give me some tips how to keep them? if you get one, will it reproduce (I've heard they can)? and do they add much to the biological filter?

 

[Corleone]

They're pretty easy to care for. They'll eat anything they can get to. Cucumber or lettuce left in overnight will be more than enough. Apple snails have distinct sexes, so if you only have one, it can't breed, and even if you have two, they lay their eggs above the water line. Depending on your setup, they may not be successful breeding, but either way the eggs are easy to find and remove if you want to prevent breeding.

 

[Eines]

oh, well that already sounds pretty good!

 

[eschaton]

The one negative is if your PH is below seven (unlikely unless you use CO2 and/or blackwater extract), the snails shells will slowly dissolve, and they will eventually die. Otherwise, they'll do fine.

 

[Eines]

My ph is 7-7.1, but I'll check it again, thanks for the tip!

 

[aaronnorth]

if it is, then add some form of calcium to help with shell growth, they will be fine then.

 

[Eines]

calcium? where can I get it and in what form?

I think I'm definately going to get an apple snail.

 

[aaronnorth]

http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...roducts_id=1593

this is food but you can also get it in liquid & powder

 

[Eines]

oh, okay. thanks!

 

[Wolfenrook]

snailshop.co.uk sell the liquid form, called snailstrong liquid.

Ade

 

[Eines]

so do they eat it, or does it just sit in the water and make it more alkaline?

 

[Corleone]

The liquid stuff goes in the water and they absorb it. It doesn't make t he water more alkaline that I know of, at least not in the recommended dose.

 

[Eines]

okay, thanks!

 

[TylerFerretLord]

It's easier, in my opinion, to just buy some crushed coral gravels and keep it in a bag in the filter than to dose with every water change.

 

[Eines]

that does sound easier, although I wouldn't mind adding the calcium every water change. I'll have to see what my lfs says. thanks for all the great tips!