Breeding Snails?

[omega59]

Hi all. I have a 2 inch black mystery snail who has never laid eggs, I had him for almost 5 months now. He lives in a 10gal tank with filter/heater/fake plants/decor/some fish fry.

Any ideas how come it hasn't layed eggs yet? i would love to experiance the process like i'am with the fry. Thanks.

 

[Curiosity101]

The snails have separate genders and must mate to create offspring. If your snail hasn't laid eggs, chances are it is either:

A) Male

B) A female that has never come into contact with a male so hasn't developed eggs as she has no sperm to fertilise them with.

To be honest I would go for option A, you more than likely have a male. Because sometimes females will lay eggs even if they are unfertilised.

 

[omega59]

i thought they were hermapherdite and can lay eggs alone. okay.. so how do i know if it is a female and when i buy another snail how will i know?

 

[Curiosity101]

Nope. Apple snails/ Mystery snails are single sex. Takes a male and a female, lol. And you'll only know you have a female if you buy a female from someone who knows they have a female. Or if you buy a snail which eventually lays eggs. I had my snails for 2/3 weeks before I got a clutch of eggs. So you wouldn't have to wait long.

I got lucky, I went out and bought two snails and happened to get a male and a female. I knew I had a male as I saw him mating with my female. Then got eggs a week or so later.

 

[shelaghfishface]

Nope. Apple snails/ Mystery snails are single sex. Takes a male and a female, lol. And you'll only know you have a female if you buy a female from someone who knows they have a female. Or if you buy a snail which eventually lays eggs. I had my snails for 2/3 weeks before I got a clutch of eggs. So you wouldn't have to wait long.

I got lucky, I went out and bought two snails and happened to get a male and a female. I knew I had a male as I saw him mating with my female. Then got eggs a week or so later.

did they kind of stick togther when they were mating? i have 2 that keep doing this and did wonder

 

[Curiosity101]

Yes, but it wasn't just the sticking together that secured it...it was the part where I saw a rather suspicious white extention prodding around into my female.... hmmm (The male actually has a dark blue foot so it was perfectly clear what this white thing was)

 

[emma12321]

there is an anatomy section on www.applesnail.net that shows how to sex them

 

[omega59]

can they mate with other types of snails, like apple snails and such, will they give eggs and babies?

 

[Curiosity101]

As far as I knew Mystery Snails were Apple Snails. It's just a different common name given to them by some fish + pet shops. I may be wrong though.

 

[omega59]

ohhhh okay. lol