Extremely important question on apple and mystery snails...

Deku

umm if i want to keep an adult Apple Snail i heard they can grow to the size of a soft ball....ummm how long will it take to grow this size? by Apple Snail do blue mystery snail grow this big too? if so how can i get one to grow...? also how can i get em to breed?

Deku

also what is the biggest Apple Snail species that can be found at most petstores?

Deku

umm okay ived read up about them and i like these and want to keep one in a ten gallon tank just one so it will grow to its maximum size i heard they can grow to the size of a softball is that true? and if it is how can i make it so the snail grows faster? other than keeping food in the tank also like if i want to leave on vacation is it possible without worrying?

okiemavis

When talking about aquarium snails, there's almost no point in using common names, as they are SO misused. It's best to stick to latin names.

The largest of the snails (one of the "apple snails) is Pomacea maculata. They get to be 6" and live sort of a varying lifespan. They will live much longer at lower temperatures- I'd recommend around 72 degrees. At that temp they'll probably live about 2-4 years, but I really couldn't say.

In order to make a snail grow quickly you want to provide it with clean water, plenty of varied food and calcium. Keep the water hard and alkaline, as that will provide for plenty of nutrients for them to build their shells with. Vitamin D supplements are a good idea as it will greatly improve calcium absorption.

Deku

i thought the largest Apple Snail could live 10yrs...

Little-Fizz

Thats a big snail, heh, I didn't even realize this one existed. Its not as nicely coloured as any of the other ones though.

okiemavis

There's really no research on it that I'm aware of. It's been known to happen, but I wouldn't count on it living more than 3 years. 10 years is definitely not the standard.

Deku

hmmm well its known to last that long.....if i give it the perfect care....well what are the longest lasting snails? (i like atleast 4-5inches?)

Mirta

They grow in warmer temperatures, but if it gets cooler, they slow down. i have lots of them in all my tanks, but somehow they preferred to have babies only in one - tetra tank with more stable heating. They eat algae food and clean up the bottom, but they also make the water dirty pretty fast too.

Lupin

Just to clarify this one, the existence of Pomacea maculata is not yet proven so I wouldn't technically called them the largest snail there is. They could have been an isolated population of canas or insularums. By far, Pomacea insularum is the largest on record (minus the maculatas until proven this actually exists). Pomacea haustrum would be close second.

As far as Vitamin D, it does help with calcium absorption but too much of it can destroy your snails which is one reason I stir clear from Caltrate (with Vitamin D added) and now using Tums. I still use the Caltrate but not as often as Tums which is pure calcium carbonate.