Over feeding snails?

[ccg]

Hello everyone,

I recently picked up a couple of gold apple snials (I believe that is what they are called). I bought them to place in my bare bottom fry tanks so they can eat the extra food that falls to the bottom. I would rather clean up snail waste then the extra food, much easier.

Anyhow, they are very active, they are out and about all day and whenever I look in at night tehy seem to be moving around as well. They eat whatever extra food is in the tank, I have also been feeding tehm various pellets, waffers etc to make sure they get enough. I have noticed each snail has grown about twice its size in two weeks, is this normal? The water is spot on 80, and they are very active and love to eat.

About half of his shell is new growth, and I can tell because its lighter then the rest. And his overall body size is about 2x what is was lesss then 2weeks ago when I got them.

Are these guys eating to much?

 

[GTP2002]

I have heard that snails can grow rather quickly. if they are very acive and are eating and don't show symptoms. I am sure they are probably ok.

 

[jflowers]

They do grow quickly while young, they will slow down as they get bigger. As long as the new shell growth is not pitted, don't worry about it. The higher the temp, the faster thier metabalism, the faster they grow, and the shorter thier lives, at 80, they will probably die of old age after a year or so, at cooler temps, they can last three years. They are much more active in warmer tanks aswell.

Have a read about them @

http/www.applesnail.net/

HTH

Jon