Breeding snails

[Allbrett]

I am planning on getting a SAP. Or two and want to start breeding snails before I get them. What would be the best way to go about breeding snails for them to eat? I have been thinking about buying a 1g tank and putting a few snails in it, feeding them spinach and algae wafers... Would this do the trick? Also what kind of snails would be eat and easiest?

[Biff Malawi]

try this article in the library library/feeding/basic-snail-breeding/,

Also do a search of the forum. Most of us breed snails so pretty much every question has been asked and answered. Then if you any specific questions I'm sure you'll get your answers.

[JRC3]

A 5g bucket works fine. A small HOB or sponge filter will be great. A heater is optional but it will speed up production.



Add a little decor to give them extra space to lay eggs. I keep a few little 2oz dressing cups laying in the breeder and they can be picked up and pluck the snails right off.

Old fish food or sinking wafers work well for food. I have big light on a timer over the breeder for algae but none seems to ever establish.

[bertie 83]

Saps do better in groups of 3 or more, they need lots of space.

[RTR]

SAPs are peculiar tank fish. In the wild outside of the breeding season they are main-channel fish, schooling tightly along the edge of the channel of the channel. In the flood season they move out into the flood plains for breeding (as do many other fish). This makes them a bit schitzoid in captivity. As with the smaller African inverting catfish, they are only secure with con-speecifics in sight out of breeding season, but solitary to mated pairs in breeding periods on the flood plains. We have a hard time matching this dichotomy in captivity. They cannot and will not do very well without con-specifics, but they also need some privacy/independence. This is not an easy task.

FWIW