Feeding a Mystery Snail

[James0816]

Ok...so I'm going to try once again to try and raise one of these guys. I want to make sure I feed him well. Granted there a several plants in my tank already. I'm not sure the algae waffer trick will work as the cory's just pounce on these within seconds of hitting bottom. So...I was going to drop in a piece of cucumber. My question is...Is there a certain size I should be looking to use? No seeds? How long should it stay in the tank? etc, etc.

[Phil22]

I slice the cucumber or zuchini into 1/8-1/4" rounds. Put the slices in the freezer. After freezing, I thaw one out and drop it in the tank. The freezing will help to burst the cells and cause it to sink instead of float. You can put it in seeds, skin and all. I leave it for 24-48 hours only. Otherwise, it can start to break down and make a mess of your tank.
Instead of freezing, you could also microwave for a few seconds.
By the way, I haven't had much luck with yellow squash...it seems to break down much quicker and be a mess.

[Flaringshutter]

Feeding these guys is really, really simple.

Cucumber might work, but it's probably not the best place to start. Mystery snails (Pomacea Bridgesii) do not feed on live plants or fresh vegetables. They eat only dead or decaying plant matter. Therefore it's important to give them slightly cooked veggies, not fresh ones. The best way to do this is to microwave the veggies in a wet paper towel for 10 or 15 seconds, or to blanch the veggies. This way your snail can start eating right away, rather than waiting for the food to decay for a few days before eating it.

While they will eat cucumber, a better choice would be romaine lettuce, collard greens, spinach, or parsley. These are high-calcium vegetables that will promote a strong, healthy shell.

Even more important than the food is water quality. Clean, low-ammonia, low-nitrite water with a high pH and kH, and rich in calcium.

I highly recommend that you check out applesnail.net. It has everything you need to know about raising a healthy snail. In fact, here's the quick and dirty guide to healthy snails:

http://applesnail.net/content/various/quick_guide.htm

But definitely check out the main site. It has much more information. You can join the forum (under Discussions) for even more info. We're a very friendly bunch.

[Hooked Newbie]

I just throw in a piece of Romaine that is remaining when it's time for me to throw it out. They love it and are multiplying like crazy!

[gikthechamp]

My snails LOVE grapes... just cut them into wafers and skin

[James0816]

well..i tried the cucumber thing. cut a couple small squares...nuked it for 20 secs and dropped it in the tank. floating around right now. actually two of the pieces are stuck on the sponge filter. he hasn't moved from his corner yet..door is cracked open but thats about it. man i hope he's ok. gonna be very upset if i loose another one.

[Flaringshutter]

He should be fine. Since snails are more active at night, he may start munching on it after the lights go out.

[thebullit]

i had to micro wave mine for about 40 seconds in a wet paper towel so they would sink.

they are night creatures and are soppose to be more active then, but saying that my two apples are active through out the day and are aslo my ramshorns.

[ChuckP]

Mine are big fans of zucchini - slice it thin, then freeze, seeds and all.

Toss in a thawed bit at lights out, pull out the rind in the morning. The oto likes it too.

Also, I've taken to dropping a SMALL piece of one of those weekend feeder things in now and then - snails like it, and they get a bit of extra calcuim.