Mystery snail questions

Alan R

Alan R

AC Members
Jul 9, 2008
594
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Northeast Georgia
Are mystery snails ok with sand?

Do they need water to survive?

I am just curious because i had 3 in a tank with no cover about an hour ago and now I have 2. It's only a 2.5 gallon so there's nowhere to hide. It's definitely AWOL unless it buried itself in the sand.
 
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they are ok with sand, they need water and a cover to prevent escapes hehe. They don't bury in the sand. Hope you find him.
 
They will occasionally burrow into substrate. I would look all around the tank. Apple snails can close their operculum quite tightly and survive out of water for some time, but if it got out it could be damaged. Its best to have a lid on a snail tank. They will often cruise out when looking for a space to lay eggs or if hte water quality is poor.
 
I have a metal screen reptile cover for the tank. I will have to cut it to fit with the filter. I'll just do that.
 
msjinkzd said:
They will occasionally burrow into substrate. I would look all around the tank. Apple snails can close their operculum quite tightly and survive out of water for some time, but if it got out it could be damaged. Its best to have a lid on a snail tank. They will often cruise out when looking for a space to lay eggs or if hte water quality is poor.
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Water is brand new. Pulled it from my 75 planted with test perfect for everything and just did a w/c in that tank last night. I just had put those snails in the tank not an hour before the one disappeared. They are about as big round as a nickel.
 
It's probably buried in the sand. A 2.5 gallon is too small for three snails in the long run - they need 2.5 gallons each. They're kind of poo factories. :D But at their small size they should be okay for now.
Be careful when you cut the metal screen - I would cover the cut edge with duct tape or electrical tape. Wandering snails could get cut on those sharp edges.
 
flaringshutter said:
It's probably buried in the sand. A 2.5 gallon is too small for three snails in the long run - they need 2.5 gallons each. They're kind of poo factories. :D But at their small size they should be okay for now.
Be careful when you cut the metal screen - I would cover the cut edge with duct tape or electrical tape. Wandering snails could get cut on those sharp edges.
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Yeah, I'm just going to let them grow in there awhile. They'll go in my 75 when they get bigger. I just wanted something for "the clean up crew" in that tank. Don't want to add any more fish, i'm probably pushing the max now as it is. These mystery snails were the only snails petsmart had.

Thanks for the tip on that sreen. i think the electric tape idea is a good one. I'll use it. i'm sure duct tape would be better, but all i have is grey and it would be an eye sore.
 
Remember that even if you use them as a clean up crew, they will need to be target fed a calcium rich diet to ensure longevity and shell health. Things like green veggies are very good for this. Hope you find the missing snail!
 
Cutting the screen will expose it to the moist air above your tank; It will rust. Mine did.
 
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