Egg bound Mystery Snail

[Hollygirl]

One of my Blue Mystery snails keeps trying to get out of the tank (she got out once already and ended up on the carpet, unharmed). Now I caught her near the spout of the filter. How far should I drop the waterline so that if it is indeed a female that wants to lay eggs she won't keep trying to escape? She is just a little smaller than golf ball size. Is there a way to tell if it is an egg bound female?

 

[Hollygirl]

I dropped the waterline about 2 inches and rather than letting herself go she is staying at the top. Will that be enough? Should I move her to another tank?

 

[msjinkzd]

That should be fine, typically you drop it about as much as the diameter of the shell (2" for a 2" snail).

 

[Hollygirl]

Here is a pic. She is still at the top.

 

[Hollygirl]

It's hard to tell from the photo but the dark part is her foot, not part of that leaf.

 

[msjinkzd]

yup, she is probably cleaning the right spot to lay

 

[Hollygirl]

I had seen the other Gold that I have left on top of this snail on and off for over 2 weeks. If she is getting ready to lay eggs how long does it take?

 

[msjinkzd]

to lay? typically mine do it overnight so I don't really know. Often they will travel up and out for a couple days before they start laying. They can lay clutches every couple of days for quite a while as well.

 

[Hollygirl]

I guess I can relax then - LOL! Ironically, I was in the fish room cleaning out a bookcase that we are getting rid of to set up the newest project a 20 gallon long snail tank. I hope to get most of it together by Sunday. I'll keep you posted if I find eggs.

 

[msjinkzd]

awesome! good luck!