When do I find the MS clutches?

FishGirl65

AC Members
Apr 16, 2008
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I have about 10 or so good sized mystery snails in my 75g. They're doing the "wild thing" quite often. However, I'm not finding their clutches anywhere.

I have taken a baby golden and a baby blue MS out of the tank (put them in my fry tank to grow them out (which is happening very quickly with all the food those fry get...)

How big are the clutches? Am I just missing them?
 
Mine almost always lays the egg clutches on the underside of my canopy. On some occasions, they'll lay them on the underside of the aquarium's frame/rim.
 
Mine almost always lays the egg clutches on the underside of my canopy. On some occasions, they'll lay them on the underside of the aquarium's frame/rim.

Exactly. If they're not laying, your water level may be too high. I had snails for about three years, and I know when my water level was very high, they wouldn't lay. If you can stand the sound, lower your water level about two-three inches and see if that helps.
 
i lower the water level about 2 - 3" when i want them to lay eggs. i also do a huge water change about 70% and raise the temp a degree or 2. the females can store the sperm for about 3 months.
 
Even with my water level low, I often find clutches laid behind the lip of the HOB, on the top of hte powerhead I have in the snail tank, and underneath the lights. They seem to lay them in the trickiest place possible ; It is also possible your don't have males and females. Male apple snails are indescriminate about their partnerts, they will happily mate with other males.

The clutches are light pink and range from about 1-3". Its not hard to miss them, especially if they are laid underneath the lip of something (like a filter, trim, etc). Here is a pic of a 24hr old clutch:
day1clutch.jpg
 
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