Apple Snail Question

H

Hagermanfd

AC Members
Jan 19, 2007
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I just got 6 apple snails today, i introduced them into my tank, about 1/2 hour later they were all coming out of their shell and doing there thing, I read somewhere that if they climb on the walls to the top of the water line the water may be too harsh for them. Is this true since 3 of the 6 are now at the top of the water line, also I didnt think they like daylight but they did not go and hide like i expected them to, anybody else know if my guys are doing the right thing?
Parameters,
Ammonia=0
Nitrite=0
Nitrate=10
Ph=6.7
Temp 78
 
i think 6 apple snails is a bit much, they get huge, i have also heard that the apple snails in the nature often venture out on land and scavenge for food on land so maybe its normal, i think they also lay eggs outside of the water, so maybe its normal...but u have a lot of snails there
 
Apple snail is a generic term used for dozens of snails. The canas are the most common type that get huge. The other common type are brigs which come in many colors and only get to about golfball size. It is normal for snails to hang out at the water line. They go to the top to breathe. If the snails stay there it is probably because you don't have enough oxygen in the water.

You didn't say that they left the water. They do not leave the water to eat. They leave the water if the water is horrible or if they are laying eggs but that's about it.

Your water is fine. Snails do prefer a pH over 7.4 for optimal shell growth but a low pH won't cause them to leave the water.

Snails don't care one way or another about light.

I wouldn't worry, only half your snails are hanging out at the top which is totally normal.
 
i could of sworn i read somewhere that in the wild they will leave the water to look for food if not enough is in the water:huh:
 
the snails i have should only get to about golfball size, i have a 55 gallon tank with plenty of room to venture, they have not ventured out of the tank, they are hanging just at the water line so im pretty sure they are good. I have a bubbler in the tank so the oxygen should be plenty in there, but thanks for the info/advice,
 
oh also, what else should i feed them? I have dropped in flakes, tetra pellets, and shrimp pellets for the other fish but there are always a few leftovers, should i put anything else in just for them?
 
Mine adore blanched zucchini. Not sure if it's necessary in a tank with leftover food, but they'd probably love you more :)
 
I had a pair of canas, one of which would forge along the pond edge. They also laid eggs above the waterline. If your water params and temp is fine, they are most likely just going up to breathe a little air. Oh, check your water hardness and see about dropping something in there to keep the tank water from leeching calcium from shells. Depending on the mineral content of your water, this can lead to shells thinning, pitting, and cracking easily. I add cuttlebone to my water to help a little.
 
I feed my snails algae wafers, they love it...once they actually find it before the angels get to it. I have two snails, both goes up to the waterline periodically and most of the time I see them extending that tube thing which I read somewhere is for them to get oxygen. So it's completely normal. One of my snails is black and it's about the size of a golfball, it always comes out of hiding at around 8pm even when the aquarium lights are still on, but the golden snail I have always hides until after the lights are out. Hope that helps
 
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