View Full Version : Mystery snails- stocking and compatibility
jpappy789
12-12-2008, 12:36 AM
So after seeing that my lfs just got a shipment of mystery snails I know that I need to get at least one. I have my 30 gallon with female bettas, bn plec, otos, and a group of dwarf chain loaches to come later. I almost rushed into buying one but was worried about the bettas (they nip at pond snails) and the sids (more invert friendly than other loaches?)...I also have a spare 10 gallon that could be the back up snail tank. Comments? Suggestions?
EDIT: high GH/KH and planted
I'd keep a brig per 2.5g. 3-4 will be fine there. I wouldn't try bettas and sids with them. You already know the consequences of mixing loaches and snails. I had my female bettas attacked the brigs the moment they entered their tank. I had to remove my female bettas in the process. Though the brigs can regenerate any lost eyes and antennae, they still shouldn't be allowed to suffer under this torture of being harassed as they will eventually die from too much stress. Bristlenose plecos and otos are fine. I have my brigs mixed with BNs and a whiptail catfish. For other tankmates, consider ember tetras and hatchets.
As for food, look up snail jello recipe in one of the stickies. There is also a list of vegetables you can try. Always try the ones with high calcium content although watch out for phosphorous content. You could try Caltrate (without Vitamin D) or Tums as a calcium supplement. I used the flavored Tums with great results. Snails like anything with sweet smell so they simply go crazy over Tums. Tums can cloud the water though but no harm is done. The water clears up after a few hours.
You can use Caltrate with Vitamin D although I'd use this one on weekly basis only as the excessive amount of Vitamin D might kill the snails. It is already toxic to humans alone if in excess of 50 micrograms. Caltrate though can attract as many snails as Tums does despite not being flavored. This one can dissolve quickly and does not cloud up at all.
Maintain pH no lower than 7.0. Acidic water can erode their shells severely. Please make sure to leave a 2 inch space above the water line and cover the tank with mesh or glass. The snails are sexually matured by an inch already and may get out of the tank to try laying their eggs around.
Eggs are best kept in warm humid conditions. My cana eggs hatched in just 8 days due to 27 degrees Celsius temperature and high humidity. The rest took a little longer due to the cold climate we are having here.lol
jpappy789
12-12-2008, 1:15 AM
Thanks Lup! I may have to set up the 10 gallon then. It would also be a nice place for plant cuttings also...another project for winter break!
They won't eat plants though unless the plants are already dead or decaying. What colors are available? Do you plan to raise any babies at all?:thm: I forgot to add you can try broken egg shells or cuttlefish bone for calcium supplements.
jpappy789
12-12-2008, 1:21 AM
I meant I was going to plant it Lup...:D
There was one pink/red, a couple purples, and a few browns.
Probably no snail baby raising...not a whole lot of room and the 10 gal. is still a maybe...
Post the pics up when you have them! I always adore the pinks and purples.:hearts:
jpappy789
12-12-2008, 1:28 AM
It may be a while...but I dont want anybody to steal them!
You can always order from Rachel. Her brigs are really beautiful especially the purples.:D
msjinkzd
12-12-2008, 8:03 AM
I would overfilter the 10g as well. They are lovely additions full of personality, but are the "pleco" of the invert world as far as constant grazing and pooping. When you go to purchase (if from your LFS), look for the most active snails without any pitting or damage to the shell. When the LFS worker removes the snail, don't let them pull it off the glass. Also, make sure your intake is covered as the snails seem to like to try and graze on the "goop" inside the filter intake which can result in them getting stuck and collapsed mantle or injury. Also, make sure you have your water line dropped about the same amount as the largest snails diameter. Otherwise they will try to leave the tank for egglaying. A temp in mid-70's is great as this will allow for slow and thick shell growth. I really think you would enjoy them, they have TONS of personality and some even hand feed! Let us know if you have any other questions :)
jackiomy
12-12-2008, 11:33 AM
I would overfilter the 10g as well. They are lovely additions full of personality, but are the "pleco" of the invert world as far as constant grazing and pooping. When you go to purchase (if from your LFS), look for the most active snails without any pitting or damage to the shell. When the LFS worker removes the snail, don't let them pull it off the glass. Also, make sure your intake is covered as the snails seem to like to try and graze on the "goop" inside the filter intake which can result in them getting stuck and collapsed mantle or injury. Also, make sure you have your water line dropped about the same amount as the largest snails diameter. Otherwise they will try to leave the tank for egglaying. A temp in mid-70's is great as this will allow for slow and thick shell growth. I really think you would enjoy them, they have TONS of personality and some even hand feed! Let us know if you have any other questions :)
Do you think the different colors of snails have different personalitys? My gold ones are out and about all the time but my black ones are very qiuet and shy. Their faces look different too. Is that possible?
how do you get snails off the glass without pulling them? I haven't been hurting my snails have i?
msjinkzd
12-12-2008, 3:23 PM
i drop the water line and they "jump ship" or you can try and slide something underneath them. Sometimes a gentle poke to their foot will make them let go as well.
I might have to try sliding something underneath them. My little guys just aren't intimidated by my hands anymore hehe. Why shy from the hand that feeds you, apparently.
jpappy789
12-12-2008, 6:02 PM
Thanks jinx! I actually work at said LFS so I've been observing them. All shells seem to be in good shape and they devour algae wafers that are put in. However, I've seen your pics and may have to go that route...that way I won't rush into setting up the tank.
Lupin
12-12-2008, 11:34 PM
That's the trouble with my snails. They aren't intimidated at all. I don't pull them but I try to tickle their sides or foot so they withdraw or 'parasnail'.
blue2fyre
12-13-2008, 9:02 AM
To get my snails I gentle tap their shell a couple times and they let go of the glass.
jpappy789
12-13-2008, 3:12 PM
parasnail...LOL
Well, that's how we call snails who spread their foot as they drift along the middle column going to the bottom.:silly: You should see all my baby canas doing it a lot! They go up and then fall like meteors.:D
msjinkzd
12-13-2008, 7:42 PM
Just wait until you see snorno pappy!
I'm waiting to see snorno while parasnailing. 10 inch high club!
jpappy789
12-15-2008, 9:07 PM
Oh my :lipssealedsmilie:
Well the 10 gal. might have to wait a little for brigs as I am currently investing in sids rather than the lighting for the moment (and don't try to convince me otherwise ;))
I'm gunna have to wait and see where I stand in terms of finances after the holidays.
msjinkzd
12-15-2008, 9:25 PM
well pappy, if you decide to wait its better for shipping anyway if you don't get them local! :D
jpappy789
12-15-2008, 9:27 PM
well pappy, if you decide to wait its better for shipping anyway if you don't get them local! :D
Why, you jacking up your prices for the holiday season??? :lipssealedsmilie:
Bettacreek
12-15-2008, 9:40 PM
Lol. Shipping is awful this time of year. I sent some packages out that should have taken two days at most, and they didn't arrive until four days later. Imagine if that had been packages of snails...
jpappy789
12-15-2008, 9:45 PM
Lol. Shipping is awful this time of year. I sent some packages out that should have taken two days at most, and they didn't arrive until four days later. Imagine if that had been packages of snails...
Yeah, which also brings up whether or not I should be buying fish this close to the holidays...I may have to wait on those :irked:
(just givin' you a hard time Jinx! :D)
Bettacreek
12-15-2008, 9:50 PM
Personally, I've stopped shipping everything, especially live cultures, simply because they may not make it, though they're generally more likely to make it than fish. :/ Easier to be safe and wait it out for a little bit than lose whatever you're buying. Plus, the chances of packages getting lost and never making it anywhere (to you or back to the shipper). I have one package that's coming (Marisas) and I'm stressed out about it (I wasn't paying attention to how close it was getting to x-mas). That's supposed to be a 1-2 day shipment, but it'll probably end up being 3 days...
msjinkzd
12-15-2008, 9:55 PM
Why, you jacking up your prices for the holiday season???
My prices are always the same, lmao. Its just concern about the safety of shipping!
jpappy789
12-15-2008, 10:33 PM
My prices are always the same, lmao. Its just concern about the safety of shipping!
Thanks for the concerns Rach. :)
Let's just say Santa's going to be on back order this year...
jpappy789
12-22-2008, 2:18 AM
Well I couldn't wait. With all my free time I decided to set up the 10 gallon. I'm waiting for the sand to settle but I should be the proud owner of some brigs by tuesday!
we'll be expecting pics! :)
jpappy789
12-22-2008, 2:44 AM
I will try to post pics soon. I plan on planting tomorrow so maybe then!