Golden Apple Snail

[Athena]

Hi - I've only had my Golden apple snail for a couple of weeks and been searching online for info on types of food to feed it and have seen most say algae wafers, lettuce leaves, sinking pellets (and, of course, any flake food found on the gravel)...but what I wanted to know was whether they eat any other fresh veggies/fruit.

For example, would it eat any of these:

Watercress
Rocket
spinach
cabbage
broccoli
peas
courgette
apple
grapes

I've also been reading that they need calcium to make their shells strong. Well, how many of you snail-keepers add calcium supplements to your tank? Is it really necessary, or can certain foods provide them with enough calcium in a natural way.

Just want to make sure I'm doing all I can to help it thrive. He/she is so eye-catchingly beautiful (and I never thought I'd ever say that about a snail LOL) I just want to keep it in tip-top condition.

I've no idea if it's male or female either. Not really bothered as it's the only one in the tank (at the moment). It's about an inch and a half diam.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks - Athena

 

[fishnovice]

Hi - I've only had my Golden apple snail for a couple of weeks and been searching online for info on types of food to feed it and have seen most say algae wafers, lettuce leaves, sinking pellets (and, of course, any flake food found on the gravel)...but what I wanted to know was whether they eat any other fresh veggies/fruit.

For example, would it eat any of these:

Watercress
Rocket
spinach
cabbage
broccoli
peas
courgette
apple
grapes

I've also been reading that they need calcium to make their shells strong. Well, how many of you snail-keepers add calcium supplements to your tank? Is it really necessary, or can certain foods provide them with enough calcium in a natural way.

Just want to make sure I'm doing all I can to help it thrive. He/she is so eye-catchingly beautiful (and I never thought I'd ever say that about a snail LOL) I just want to keep it in tip-top condition.

I've no idea if it's male or female either. Not really bothered as it's the only one in the tank (at the moment). It's about an inch and a half diam.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks - Athena

I have lots of snails in my tropical communinty tank. Never feed them anyhng special. They thrive on leftover fish flakes, sinking pellets. Also feed my fish courgettes, cucumbers, boiled potaot and tinned baby carrots. Snails love fresh veg and compete with the fiish for them, rarely have to remove any veg leftovers from my tank.

 

[Athena]

Thanks for that!

At the weekend I bought one of those peg-like clips for hanging lettuce etc on for snails. Well I tried with a small piece of lettuce but it's been in there a few days and doesn't look like my snail has touched it.

In fact, I'm a bit worried because I haven't seen my snail move for 2 days!

Do you think he's just sleeping/hibernating? I hope he's not dead!! I've no idea how I would tell. He's just been in the same spot on the gravel, inside his shell with the door closed!

Athena

 

[Donya]

Thanks for that!

At the weekend I bought one of those peg-like clips for hanging lettuce etc on for snails. Well I tried with a small piece of lettuce but it's been in there a few days and doesn't look like my snail has touched it.

Take any veggies out ASAP. They should never be left in more than a day.

In fact, I'm a bit worried because I haven't seen my snail move for 2 days!

Do you think he's just sleeping/hibernating? I hope he's not dead!! I've no idea how I would tell. He's just been in the same spot on the gravel, inside his shell with the door closed!

Athena

Snails don't hibernate in captivity under normal tank conditions. While they will rest sometimes, several days sitting closed up should be a cue to test ammonia/nitrite/nitrate, especially after excess food has been sitting around that long. If you're worried the snail has died, do a sniff test.

Regarding greens like lettuce and cabbage, I will add that I haven't used these in my tanks in years due to the risk of bringing in unwanted chemicals even after attempting to wash them. I just had too many events of snails closing up and sliming almost immediately after putting the leaves in even after washing and drying. If you grow your own or have a really trusted source that you know hasn't been nuked with pesticides (I've even had trouble with supposedly "organic" greens), then go for it. Otherwise it's much safer to use something that you can peel.

 

[nessar]

They will also munch on any leftover bloodworms. Cuttlefish is meant to help with shells, personally I've never seen my apples on it, but then again I might not be there when they do! I find the easiest way to feed lettuce/cucumber is to weigh it down with a small pebble , so its on the ground and easily accessible.

 

[Athena]

Thanks for that!

At the weekend I bought one of those peg-like clips for hanging lettuce etc on for snails. Well I tried with a small piece of lettuce but it's been in there a few days and doesn't look like my snail has touched it.

Take any veggies out ASAP. They should never be left in more than a day.

In fact, I'm a bit worried because I haven't seen my snail move for 2 days!

Do you think he's just sleeping/hibernating? I hope he's not dead!! I've no idea how I would tell. He's just been in the same spot on the gravel, inside his shell with the door closed!

Athena

Snails don't hibernate in captivity under normal tank conditions. While they will rest sometimes, several days sitting closed up should be a cue to test ammonia/nitrite/nitrate, especially after excess food has been sitting around that long. If you're worried the snail has died, do a sniff test.

Regarding greens like lettuce and cabbage, I will add that I haven't used these in my tanks in years due to the risk of bringing in unwanted chemicals even after attempting to wash them. I just had too many events of snails closing up and sliming almost immediately after putting the leaves in even after washing and drying. If you grow your own or have a really trusted source that you know hasn't been nuked with pesticides (I've even had trouble with supposedly "organic" greens), then go for it. Otherwise it's much safer to use something that you can peel.

Many thanks for the warnings! And it's strange you should mention about the problems you had when putting in lettuce etc - it was after I had put a piece of lettuce in that my snail clamped up and hasn't moved since! Oh no...I wonder if that's the reason? I thought it was because of the drop in water temp after the heater failed. But looking back, he was till moving around the tank even when the temp was low. He was fine up until the day I added lettuce - although I didn't actually see him eat it.

Oh and I did take out the lettuce after it had been there 2-3 days - oops maybe a bit too long in there!

Tested water with my liquid kit and didn't get any ammonia/nitrite readings.

He's still alive but doesn't move about. His door opens a little every day and I see the fleshy part of his foot move slightly and do a curling thing, but never see his whole body and his shell has been in the same spot for a week.

Anyway, thanks again for your comments.

Athena

 

[Littlemonkey]

Like above my Snails will eat any leftovers. I do use cuttlefish on occasions and also cucumber and Apple pieces also go down well. An inactive snail is not a good sign I'm afraid.

 

[Athena]

Thanks for the comments.

I'm wondering whether to move my snail to another tank - just out of desperation more than any logical reasons for doing so. Maybe a tank with less fish in? I do have one smaller tank that has just one rainbow shark in it. I'm not sure if a rainbow shark would try to eat a snail or not, though. My other tanks are no-no's as they have small cichlids in them.

Hard to know what to do, really, without knowing a definite cause for his hiding. The lettuce may have made him ill, or he may have been attacked by the sailfin molly or ADFs...haven't a clue!

Very frustrating, though!