Snails

Berserkr

AC Members
Feb 10, 2007
16
0
0
Tulsa, OK
I'm looking to set up a small tank as right now I have no room for much else. Something that I can use to entertain and teach my two kids, two and almost four years old. My son, the oldest. LOVES snails so I was thinking of doing an apple snail tank or some other kind of snail maybe. Any recommendations or tips?
 
nothing huge due to initial expense and space. I'm thinking no more than 20 gal, so I won't be able to have too many snails/shrimp. I do think shrimp would be a good addition too, little more active and fun to watch I imagine. I've never had inverts, just fish, so I don't know much on their behavior.
 
I think one apple snail/2.5 gallons is the rule of thumb. They will probably breed, so you'll have to destroy the eggs or find someplace to put the young. The bioload of the smaller shrimp (Caridina, Neocaridina, Palaemonetes) is negligible, so just toss a few in and let them breed. Give 'em plenty of plants and hides.

Check out any of Msjinkzd's threads for tons of good invert setup and care ideas.
 
well small to some people is 20 gal small to others is 40 gal..... 20 gal tank gives you a lot of options. i would look for a 20 long if you can. i have a bunch of them and really like them. i would do a planted snail/shrimp tank.... 2-4 apple snails and start off with 10 shrimp or so. msjinkzd has some great snails and shrimp so you might want to pm her and ask.
 
Cycling process is the same, although snails are much hardier than fish. So they can actually survive well during the cycle process if you decide to do "fishy cycle".
 
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