Taking the Mystery Out of Mystery Snails
About Mystery Snails
Mystery snails, also known as Pomacea Diffusa, are one of the most common types of snails found in aquariums and will typically live 1-3 years. They come in an array of beautiful colors, including magenta, purple, blue, ivory, gold, jade, and brown. Mystery snails are often chosen to clean algae in a tank, but they don’t actually clean very much and require a nutritional diet of their own. Due to their high bioload (a measure of the amount of waste an aquatic animal produces), adding snails as a cleanup crew can actually increase the amount of algae in a tank.
Suitable Tankmate
Fortified with a calcium carbonate shell, mystery snails will simply retreat into it if attacked; however, being constantly attacked by fish who think those worm-like antennae are food doesn’t make for a good tank environment. The following tankmates are generally peaceful and won’t tend to attack mystery snails:
Ideal Tank Setup for Mystery Snails
The minimum tank size for mystery snails is 5 gallon, but 10 gallon tanks are preferable to offset the bio-load. The waste caused by an overpopulated tank can cause a spike in the growth of bacterial colonies, resulting in dangerous levels of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates. A lid is essential. Snails are wanderers by nature, and if they spend too long out of water, they will dry up and die. Conditions inside the tank matter, too. Mystery snails can thrive on any kind of substrate. A planted tank is preferable for offsetting the bio-load, and wood like mopani wood is beneficial for its biofilm that snails can graze on. One of the most common questions people ask about mystery snails is whether they will eat aquarium plants. The answer is that mystery snails do not eat plants unless they are not fed an appropriate diet; however, they may snack on dying leaves. A tank should fall within the following parameters:
What Can Mystery Snails Eat?
A specific diet for mystery snails is important, contrasting with the common misconception that they only need to feed on algae or leftover food. While mystery snails will consume algae, detritus, and dead fish, additional feeding is important to ensure they are getting vital nutrients. They can be fed the following:
Mystery Snail Breeding
Unlike other species of snails, mystery snails are not hermaphrodites. An abundance of food encourages breeding. After mating, a female can hold fertilized eggs for up to six months. When ready, she will go up to the top of the tank above the water level and lay her eggs. Females can produce eggs several times a month, each consisting of up to 200 per clutch. Once laid, a clutch will take 1-3 weeks to hatch. Fertile eggs take on a white color when they are about to hatch, and the forming snail within will be visible. Once they hatch, baby mystery snails will find their way into the water and begin grazing on the biofilm on the sides of the tank.
Conclusion
Mystery snails are a colorful addition to many freshwater aquariums. They are delightful to watch, and their skydiving antics provide good entertainment. Careful selection of tankmates and close monitoring of water parameters are essential to their happiness, and good foods and supplements make for a solid, beautiful shell. With all of these considerations in mind, you should be well equipped to take care of healthy, happy mystery snails.
About Mystery Snails
Mystery snails, also known as Pomacea Diffusa, are one of the most common types of snails found in aquariums and will typically live 1-3 years. They come in an array of beautiful colors, including magenta, purple, blue, ivory, gold, jade, and brown. Mystery snails are often chosen to clean algae in a tank, but they don’t actually clean very much and require a nutritional diet of their own. Due to their high bioload (a measure of the amount of waste an aquatic animal produces), adding snails as a cleanup crew can actually increase the amount of algae in a tank.
Suitable Tankmate
Fortified with a calcium carbonate shell, mystery snails will simply retreat into it if attacked; however, being constantly attacked by fish who think those worm-like antennae are food doesn’t make for a good tank environment. The following tankmates are generally peaceful and won’t tend to attack mystery snails:
- Harlequin Rasboras
- Killifish
- Shrimp
- Ember Tetras
- Nano Fish
- Loaches
- Cichlids
- Catfish
- Pufferfish
- Crayfish
Ideal Tank Setup for Mystery Snails
The minimum tank size for mystery snails is 5 gallon, but 10 gallon tanks are preferable to offset the bio-load. The waste caused by an overpopulated tank can cause a spike in the growth of bacterial colonies, resulting in dangerous levels of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates. A lid is essential. Snails are wanderers by nature, and if they spend too long out of water, they will dry up and die. Conditions inside the tank matter, too. Mystery snails can thrive on any kind of substrate. A planted tank is preferable for offsetting the bio-load, and wood like mopani wood is beneficial for its biofilm that snails can graze on. One of the most common questions people ask about mystery snails is whether they will eat aquarium plants. The answer is that mystery snails do not eat plants unless they are not fed an appropriate diet; however, they may snack on dying leaves. A tank should fall within the following parameters:
- pH: 7.0-8.4
- Temperature: 68°F-80°F
What Can Mystery Snails Eat?
A specific diet for mystery snails is important, contrasting with the common misconception that they only need to feed on algae or leftover food. While mystery snails will consume algae, detritus, and dead fish, additional feeding is important to ensure they are getting vital nutrients. They can be fed the following:
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Snello
- Green Beans
- Algae Wafers
Mystery Snail Breeding
Unlike other species of snails, mystery snails are not hermaphrodites. An abundance of food encourages breeding. After mating, a female can hold fertilized eggs for up to six months. When ready, she will go up to the top of the tank above the water level and lay her eggs. Females can produce eggs several times a month, each consisting of up to 200 per clutch. Once laid, a clutch will take 1-3 weeks to hatch. Fertile eggs take on a white color when they are about to hatch, and the forming snail within will be visible. Once they hatch, baby mystery snails will find their way into the water and begin grazing on the biofilm on the sides of the tank.
Conclusion
Mystery snails are a colorful addition to many freshwater aquariums. They are delightful to watch, and their skydiving antics provide good entertainment. Careful selection of tankmates and close monitoring of water parameters are essential to their happiness, and good foods and supplements make for a solid, beautiful shell. With all of these considerations in mind, you should be well equipped to take care of healthy, happy mystery snails.