Snail Questions.

[caitic10]

Im thinking of buying a Mystery snail! I have lots of questions...

Are apple and mystery snails the same thing?
What is the difference between black mystery snails and golden mystery snails?
Will it do fine in a 2.5 gallon?
Can it survive without an airstone?
What does it eat? The tank will have live plants aswell.

Thanks!

[Gizmothefreaky]

you should probably get a smaller type of snail... Apples and Mysterys are the same thing and can get very large. I would go with trumpet snails, ramshorns, or nerites.

[Bombalurina]

I wouldn't get a snail for a 2.5 unless it is going to be the only inhabitant. For their size, snails have a large bioload.
Whatever snail you get, if you notice there isn't enough algae for it, drop in a wafer or a sinking spirulina pellet to supplement its diet. When hungry enough, some snails will eat your plants.
It will be fine without an airstone.

I would personally go for one MTS.

[Pitluvs]

MTS multiply like crazy, just warning you.

As for Mystery Snail and Apple snail, they get huge. The Black and Yellow in the name is just a shell pattern/coloring. I wouldn't suggest them for a 2.5g tank. I have ONE in my 15g tank, and I am considering giving it away. In a week, my tank is narsty and full of poop from one snail. Yuck. Seriously, get a pest snail :) I have a Ramshorn in Nixons 1.5g with him (he came with the snail) and they are doing well. But come 100% cleaning day, it's snail poop everywhere.

[Bombalurina]

If you lived near me, I would give you every single one of my pest snails for free. Pond or unidentifiable variety, take as many as you can carry.

[caitic10]

Oh okay...I was just wondering. I was going to plant my tank so I thought a snail would be a nice addition.

[Bombalurina]

In a planted tank you are quite likely to end up with snails without buying any. The little devils hitchhike. I haven't bought a snail for any of my current tanks, and yet they all have between 10 and 100 in them.