What IS a mystery snail??

[kuklachica]

I will be going to MA soon and will buy some snails there for my tanks. I believe all they have are "mystery snails". What exactly are these snails? Do they reproduce? I want to call and order some Nerite snails so I can pick them up, but if they are unable to order them, would mystery snails work?

Don't even mention buying them in a store in my area... or order them online... that's a sore subject :-p

[doggyhog]

They are a small version of an apple snail. Both have almost the exact same care, so here is a good place to start with the care: http://www.applesnail.net/content/care.php

They are NOT hermafidites (I know I spelled that wrong, but spell check isn't helping, oh well) but however they can lay the eggs MONTHS after mating. Mine just recently laid eggs and I got her about 4 months ago!!!! You can remove the eggs so they don't hatch.

[kuklachica]

Thank you DH. Are they as helpful with algae as other types of snails?

[doggyhog]

Ehhhh... kinda.

My snail is lazy and eats SOME of the algae, but not all.

[kuklachica]

What would be a good one for algae?

Or would a shrimp be better (provided that my guys don't eat them :-p)