Lone Apple Snail Laid Eggs

[eschaton]

So, I've had a single apple snail for many months now, and I'm fully aware unlike many snails, apple snails have a gender and don't self-fertilize. So I was shocked to come home and find there is actually an egg case on the top of the tank!

Chances are this is an unfertilized dud, but I wonder if she could have been holding sperm away somewhere for all that time. Has anyone else had their apple snails lay without a male?

 

[severum boy]

Ive not heard of this happening before. None of mine have ever done it. It could be just a big batch of unfertalised eggs, but do try to hatch them out, just to see if they are or not.

Sorry I cant be much more help than this, but do update this if anything hatches out.

 

[wodesorel]

They can hold sperm for up to 9 months and lay fertilized eggs during that time. They can also lay unfertilized all their lives.

I had a cana (giant apple snail) by itself for a year before it decided to lay it's first clutch of eggs. It's a little unsettling, but very normal. I also had two brigs (common apple snails) who laid at least three clutches after the male left that were fertile and hatched out babies. I destroyed the rest without trying to hatch them, but between the two snails they were laying eggs every week and a half for the rest of their lives. (On every other Thursday morning and Sunday Morning, like clockwork.)

 

[severum boy]

They can hold sperm for up to 9 months and lay fertilized eggs during that time.

Where did you get this infrmation from?

 

[fishyfeet]

They can hold sperm for up to 9 months and lay fertilized eggs during that time.

Where did you get this infrmation from?

this is very true try www.applesnail.net

 

[severum boy]

Thanks Fishyfeet, just wanted to check if this correct or not with some evidence.
Does anyone have a specific link to the information?

 

[wodesorel]

I didn't want to link to another site - I know some forums have rules against that.

Double-checking the info located on applesnail.net - one section of the side says "one month", another section says "many months".

I distinctly remember conversing with some of the breeders there when my snails started laying who said it's closer to 9 months. I used to be a huge snail freak when I could keep them and read and leasrned everything I could about them. I also really really hated to destroy fertilized clutches, so wanted to know how long it was possible for them to actually be fertile when there was no male present. I was amazed at the length of time, and that's why I remember it.\

Edit: applesnail.net does not show addresses to each section, but it's located under both "Reproduction" and "Care" sections.

 

[fishyfeet]

I didn't want to link to another site - I know some forums have rules against that.

Double-checking the info located on applesnail.net - one section of the side says "one month", another section says "many months".

I distinctly remember conversing with some of the breeders there when my snails started laying who said it's closer to 9 months. I used to be a huge snail freak when I could keep them and read and leasrned everything I could about them. I also really really hated to destroy fertilized clutches, so wanted to know how long it was possible for them to actually be fertile when there was no male present. I was amazed at the length of time, and that's why I remember it.\

Edit: applesnail.net does not show addresses to each section, but it's located under both "Reproduction" and "Care" sections.

neither did i want to link to other sites, but this person seems unlikely to take out word for it, di

 

[severum boy]

I didn't want to link to another site - I know some forums have rules against that.
Double-checking the info located on applesnail.net - one section of the side says "one month", another section says "many months".
Edit: applesnail.net does not show addresses to each section, but it's located under both "Reproduction" and "Care" sections.

Thanks very much

neither did i want to link to other sites, but this person seems unlikely to take out word for it, di

All I wanted was some evidence of it occuring. I know my snails, and had never heard of this before. So naturally I wanted to check the information with a back up on a respected apple snail website. As it stands, I have now learnt something I diddent know previously which is ultimatly all I want from life ok?

 

[eschaton]

In case anyone was wondering, they hatched and were viable. Yesterday I came home and noticed the case seemed rotted, touched it and it collapsed. I broke it open in the water and let the little ones out (over 100). I'm not sure how many made it, as a lot are hanging out in the detritus on the bottom. Time will tell.

Oh, and she laid a second egg case too. Not bad for a snail with no mate for at least six months!