Apple Snails

[lilacamy931]

Just to check are these still easy to breed? If i brought 4 and chucked them in they would get going?

The second batch of Ramshorns off of Ebay were rotten again, have refund now but just found a localish LFS that sell Apples for 50p each.

Would these be suitable for both dwarf and SAPs?

Many thanks x

[carlos]

They eat alot and can make small tanks really dirty, they like oxygen rich water and about 65 degrees. Once you have them you need to keep things the same for a week or so with enough food, them ramp up the temp and add more food, they are seperately sexed to need to mate, and they lay eggs above water level so makesure of enough air space.

Sometimes they lay eggs that are infertile so it could be quite a wait for you, i would say theyre easy to breed but its a long term planning affair, hope that helps

[lilacamy931]

Well I went and got some! Have 5 in a tank and started the filter. Have no heater in there currently. Here is a pic of the set up.



Saw 3 with their "ears" but none moved as of yet. Have bloodworm and frozen cauliflower which will probably microwave for them. Was going to give feeding a miss tonight? Is filter best on the tank as it does agitate them while they are hiding away (really hope that they come out tonight). I have a heater but worried about the plastic and that it isn't the biggest. Let me know what you think, please be kind!

p.s. also have a bubble stone stick shall I add that?

[carlos]

you could put some fine filter media in to slow down current, and some algae discs, heat will become important when it comes time to breed them, you slkowly raise temp and they get frisky. Wouldnt worry too much about filtering massively as they like a good bit of algae/slime to feed on, too much disturbance may take them longer to come out.

have a look at applesnails.net/content/care i think it is, all info you need is there very concise. Hope ive helped

oh and yes on bubble stone, if anything just bubble stone for now, make sure it aint to violent, if oxygen gets loiw they dont like it, so oxygen tablets (50p) for aquariums may help.

[lilacamy931]

Oh right, think I will take the filter out or just turn it off for the moment and go with heater and air stones for them. You have been excellent Carlos! Really really helpful thankyou. Anxious to get this right. I need to get them some better food but would green pepper be any good? Was planning on giving them blood worm if not for now, then move onto the caulifower.

They really have not done anything or emerged since got them, should I be concerned? Also would a normal 25w heater be a danger in this tank being acrylic as think someone mentioned this on another site. It has sucker pads.

Thank you again Carlos!

[carlos]

as long as its not touching the side it should be fine, but use caution, i would try and get something to space it a little, has the water been dechlorinated? a good idea may be to use a piece of deco from main tank with plenty of life (bacteria) on it just to tempt them. algae discs (very cheap) plants and greens aswell. The website should hopefully fill in a few gaps.

Give em a day or 2 after that for movement, they should be fine.

[lilacamy931]

well I will give the heater the blast and fingers crossed! I have got the water dechlorinated. In the meantime I will get some algae discs! That website is very good just wanted to make sure..

Many thanks, fingers crossed they are alive, did as suggested on the site and just had a quick look at their trap door, still firmly in place so fingers crossed a good sign!

Many many thanks carlos

[lilacamy931]

LOL now have a good supply of pond snails. Popped one in last night, main man took notice and had a nip then they all ran off scared, it reacted! Oh no! Couldnt see it this morning but he could be hiding.

Put one more in this morning, this time it was Piggy's go, she took a chunk but then didn't know what to do! Hopeless Maybe too used to frozen bloodworm?

Will try to seek out the two when get home to see their fate.

(p,s, also tried crushing some on the glass and leaving for an hour all that happened there was they fell onto the log)

hope my babies get some killer instincts soon

[moaid]

u are having sooooo much fun arent u?!!

i want snails too!! mine had a change of menu today...slimy worms.. slurrrrpps!! so far they only want live goodies..

[lilacamy931]

I definately am Moaid! LOL.

I found one that looked like half had been sucked out (that was the later one had put in). Can't seem to find the other one and not sure whether to be worried! Just done a water change vacuming the bottom, under the wood, made sure it wasn't in the cave or tank lid. Not sure where the first one went!

Placed a larger one in today, will try placing loads for them to find but need them to have babies first.