snails

[sainthogan]

So, I'm wanting to get snails for my tank I have and the one I'm getting, but I was also wondering about raising snails in a separate tank. Would a 1/2 gallon be a good size to start. I'm thinking pond snails here so they wouldn't necessarily need a heater. Yes I know I'm crazy, and perhaps I didn't learn my lesson ages ago - but they are sooooo cute. I don't think I would risk a population over run in my betta tanks by putting them in there - I'm thinking apple snails for those - But are apple snails easy to breed, and how would they handle a small tank with no heater?

[ChoclateBetta]

Physella Acuta are easy to breed and make great snacks for assasin snails.

[Maddybelle]

Apple snails need at least 2.5 gallons each. Mine have always done fine without heaters. They do tend to poop a lot, though.

IMO, apple snails are easy to breed. They have separate genders, reproduce sexually, and lay eggs above the water. They won't take over a tank like physids (pond snails) or ramshorns. They come in so many cool colors!

I've got a few golden babies left, if you want them! =)

[ChoclateBetta]

They actually live longer when in coldwater tanks. They are very hard to identify gender so you will need a larger tanks and plenty of the snails they usually lay there eggs at the surface on the glass.

[Maddybelle]

I don't find it difficult to determine gender at all. Especially with golden and ivory snails -to females have dark spires (the pointy bit on their shell) I usually pick them up, wait until they come out, and check on the left side (facing you) for the private parts.

[FoodFish]

Originally Posted by Maddybelle

I don't find it difficult to determine gender at all. Especially with golden and ivory snails -to females have dark spires (the pointy bit on their shell) I usually pick them up, wait until they come out, and check on the left side (facing you) for the private parts.

Thanks for the info. I never knew anything about it

[babystarz]

The annoying thing about pond snails is, if you want to move a plant to another tank you are guaranteed to transfer snails. I think ramshorn snails do just as good a job at cleaning as pond snails but they don't reproduce quite as prolifically. MTS are also fun, but despite being livebearers it's easy for them to take over a tank.

[ChoclateBetta]

MTS have less stuff that eats them because of there tough shell.

[sainthogan]

Cool, thanks everyone, I will probably be moving in a few months, then I'll be very close to a pet store, so I will wait to get snails until then.

[ChoclateBetta]

You can even use pond snails but I would quarantine two individuals for a month each breed them two generations and only use the captive bred ones.