Problem with snails...attached!

lorindaleigh

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Jan 24, 2009
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My snails were mating like crazy. Last week they stopped. Since then the male has been attached to the female. He just rides around on her back and side. In the past week I have only seem them unattached for about an hour total. I wasn't worried until I saw the males shell start to break away. He now has a v shaped fracture. I just moved both of them to another tank (I can't separate them!). I'm going to put one of them back in the 20 gallon as soon as they separate. Any idea as to why they are doing this? They also both stopped eating the caltrate.
Thanks!
 
I would take them out of the water and let them sit for a bit to see if that discourages them. I just put my 4 snails for another tank in with my other four snails and it has been a snorgy ever since. I am trying to get distinguish markings on them so I can seperate them to boys and girls tanks. LOL
 
The V shape just means your boy is a man now lol. Its a common thing on breeding males. Mine have it too, its purely cosmetic, im sure they will detatch when they are ready. She would probably close up if he was bugging her too much.
 
I would take them out of the water and let them sit for a bit to see if that discourages them. I just put my 4 snails for another tank in with my other four snails and it has been a snorgy ever since. I am trying to get distinguish markings on them so I can seperate them to boys and girls tanks. LOL


Markings wont help you on babies lol.
 
The V shape just means your boy is a man now lol. Its a common thing on breeding males. Mine have it too, its purely cosmetic, im sure they will detatch when they are ready. She would probably close up if he was bugging her too much.

That's true.
 
Thanks :) I've gotten attached to them. Is it normal for them to mate so much and not lay eggs? The funny thing is that my girl snail is twice the size of the male snail. I got them when they were both babies from the same tank. So I assumed that they are the same age.
 
lol they could well have been the same age. I did the same with my purples, and the male is a monster. She will lay when she is ready, you can help her by dropping the water line a little. It is likely that she may lay a couple of test batches to find a good spot to allow her eggs a good chance of hatching out.
 
My males have the same shell damage going on. As for the mating with no eggs yet, if I'm not mistaken the female can store sperm for a long time. Lower your water level, and increase the temp a bit and you'll probably get some eggs.
 
This is great info. for me. I have a female only who is going crazy with her egg production. The male died three months ago!
 
omg i didnt know that! so then one of my purplies isnt a girl after all! just a stylish male lol. i thought i hurt him somehow!
 
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