Snail Requirements

Liz

AC Members
Mar 25, 2005
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Okay, here's the deal. I want to get a giant baseball-sized Cana apple snail and name it Tiny Tim. I want to keep it in a 10 gallon by itself if that is possible. What requirements do snails have? Do they need aeration? A filter? Substrate?
 
They don't need aeration, they don't need substrate... they can live with one water change a month, they can thrive if you simply feed them lettuce...

they're the MOST undifficult thing to keep.
 
Just keep their water slightly acidic and give them a good calcium source by throwing in a piece of cuttle bone.

Healthy shells and all that.
 
Yes, calcium is the most important thing. The simplest way to do that is to buy a cuttle fish bone from your local pet store (they will be in the bird section). Don't add live plants as most apple snails eat all plants. If you want plants go fake. Decorate anyway you want. Don't worry about a filter and if the room temp is generally stable a heater really isn't needed either. A heater would be nice if the room temp drops a lot (for instance if the tank is near a window). Weekly water changes are nice to avoid a foul smelling and looking tank. Keep a tight lid on the tank as some snails may decide to go for a walk.

Feed a variety of fresh veggies. I start with frozen peas, zucchini, lettuce, spinach, celery and cucumber.

They are very simple and if well cared for live a nice long life and get super big.
 
Would a tennisball sized Cana be okay in a 10 gallon?

I only get bridgesii for my planted tank.
 
I think a 20g would be the minimum for that snail if you want to reduce the number of break outs, but if it's by itself the 10g should be adequate.
 
10 gallon would be a minimum as Purplesmurf mentions. A 20 gallon would be better. Make sure to add nothing else to a 10 gallon tank if you do use that. I would be doing water changes as per a regular fish tank to keep things nice and healthy and leave an air space at the top for it.
 
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