snails

[andy smart]

Hi

We have a large tank in which (as I've said before) we lost all our
fish. Among those were some rather nice, and very efficient, cold-water
loaches which were doing a grand job of hoovering algae off the
rocks/wood/etc

We can't get these in the UK now I gather, and my co-fishkeeper and I
were wondering about snails? Our predecessor in the role wouldnt' have
them for any price claiming that all you got was 1000s of snails (no
elodea either as it bought in snail eggs), but when I had goldfish at
home I had a couple of snails in the tank and all was fine. Actually
'fish' used to amuse himself by jumping out of the water and knocking
the ones that were above water surface off the glass (no kidding, it was
quite pre-meditated).

What do people here think?

[Tom Randy]

On Fri, 03 Jun 2005 14:59:39 +0100, andy smart wrote:

> Hi
>
> We have a large tank in which (as I've said before) we lost all our
> fish. Among those were some rather nice, and very efficient, cold-water
> loaches which were doing a grand job of hoovering algae off the
> rocks/wood/etc
>
> We can't get these in the UK now I gather, and my co-fishkeeper and I
> were wondering about snails? Our predecessor in the role wouldnt' have
> them for any price claiming that all you got was 1000s of snails (no
> elodea either as it bought in snail eggs), but when I had goldfish at
> home I had a couple of snails in the tank and all was fine. Actually
> 'fish' used to amuse himself by jumping out of the water and knocking
> the ones that were above water surface off the glass (no kidding, it was
> quite pre-meditated).
>
> What do people here think?


Unless you break down the tank and clean it you'll ALWAYS have snails.
I'll NEVER use live plants again, Snails are a HUGE pain in the A%$.

[Katra]

In article >,
andy smart > wrote:

> Hi
>
> We have a large tank in which (as I've said before) we lost all our
> fish. Among those were some rather nice, and very efficient, cold-water
> loaches which were doing a grand job of hoovering algae off the
> rocks/wood/etc
>
> We can't get these in the UK now I gather, and my co-fishkeeper and I
> were wondering about snails? Our predecessor in the role wouldnt' have
> them for any price claiming that all you got was 1000s of snails (no
> elodea either as it bought in snail eggs), but when I had goldfish at
> home I had a couple of snails in the tank and all was fine. Actually
> 'fish' used to amuse himself by jumping out of the water and knocking
> the ones that were above water surface off the glass (no kidding, it was
> quite pre-meditated).
>
> What do people here think?

Apple snails don't reproduce at the rate ramshorn or conical snails do...
I have one in with my betta and have no algae at all.

He eats fish food too.
--
K.

Sprout the MungBean to reply

"I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell‹you
see, I have friends in both places." --Mark Twain

[Geezer From The Freezer]

Katra wrote:
>
>
> Apple snails don't reproduce at the rate ramshorn or conical snails do...
> I have one in with my betta and have no algae at all.
>
> He eats fish food too.
> --

Apple snails need a mate to reproduce too!

[andy smart]

Geezer From The Freezer wrote:
>
> Katra wrote:
>
>>
>>Apple snails don't reproduce at the rate ramshorn or conical snails do...
>>I have one in with my betta and have no algae at all.
>>
>>He eats fish food too.
>>--
>
>
> Apple snails need a mate to reproduce too!
Err, how do I sex apple snails?

[Katra]

In article >,
Geezer From The Freezer > wrote:

> Katra wrote:
> >
> >
> > Apple snails don't reproduce at the rate ramshorn or conical snails do...
> > I have one in with my betta and have no algae at all.
> >
> > He eats fish food too.
> > --
>
> Apple snails need a mate to reproduce too!

Yes. Yet another advantage. :-)
I've honestly had the BEST luck with these for algae control and I have
yet to see a single egg cluster.

But I only had 2 snails and they were probably the same sex.
I lost one a couple of months ago so now I only have one large Ivory one.
--
K.

Sprout the MungBean to reply

"I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell--you
see, I have friends in both places." --Mark Twain

[Katra]

In article >,
andy smart > wrote:

> Geezer From The Freezer wrote:
> >
> > Katra wrote:
> >
> >>
> >>Apple snails don't reproduce at the rate ramshorn or conical snails do...
> >>I have one in with my betta and have no algae at all.
> >>
> >>He eats fish food too.
> >>--
> >
> >
> > Apple snails need a mate to reproduce too!
> Err, how do I sex apple snails?

<grins> I have no idea...

I'm sure it could be googled! ;-)

If you watch their behavior, I'd guess the one on top would be the male?
--
K.

Sprout the MungBean to reply

"I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell‹you
see, I have friends in both places." --Mark Twain

[andy smart]

Katra wrote:
> In article >,
> andy smart > wrote:
>
>
>>Geezer From The Freezer wrote:
>>
>>>Katra wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Apple snails don't reproduce at the rate ramshorn or conical snails do...
>>>>I have one in with my betta and have no algae at all.
>>>>
>>>>He eats fish food too.
>>>>--
>>>
>>>
>>>Apple snails need a mate to reproduce too!
>>
>>Err, how do I sex apple snails?
>
>
> <grins> I have no idea...
>
> I'm sure it could be googled! ;-)
>
> If you watch their behavior, I'd guess the one on top would be the male?

Hey, you're right
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwsnailreprofaqs.htm

But it has nothing to do with choice of position....

[Katra]

In article >,
andy smart > wrote:

> Katra wrote:
> > In article >,
> > andy smart > wrote:
> >
> >
> >>Geezer From The Freezer wrote:
> >>
> >>>Katra wrote:
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>Apple snails don't reproduce at the rate ramshorn or conical snails do...
> >>>>I have one in with my betta and have no algae at all.
> >>>>
> >>>>He eats fish food too.
> >>>>--
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>Apple snails need a mate to reproduce too!
> >>
> >>Err, how do I sex apple snails?
> >
> >
> > <grins> I have no idea...
> >
> > I'm sure it could be googled! ;-)
> >
> > If you watch their behavior, I'd guess the one on top would be the male?
>
> Hey, you're right
> http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwsnailreprofaqs.htm
>
> But it has nothing to do with choice of position....

<rolls eyes>

That was a rather poor attempt at humor.......

Sorry! ;-)
--
K.

Sprout the MungBean to reply

"I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell‹you
see, I have friends in both places." --Mark Twain

[Geezer From The Freezer]

Katra wrote:
>
> Yes. Yet another advantage. :-)
> I've honestly had the BEST luck with these for algae control and I have
> yet to see a single egg cluster.
>
> But I only had 2 snails and they were probably the same sex.
> I lost one a couple of months ago so now I only have one large Ivory one.
> --
> K.
>
> Sprout the MungBean to reply
>
> "I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell--you
> see, I have friends in both places." --Mark Twain

I used to have two, and just my luck they reproduced. Had bloody loads of little
ones.
I gave them away in the end.

[Katra]

In article >,
Geezer From The Freezer > wrote:

> Katra wrote:
> >
> > Yes. Yet another advantage. :-)
> > I've honestly had the BEST luck with these for algae control and I have
> > yet to see a single egg cluster.
> >
> > But I only had 2 snails and they were probably the same sex.
> > I lost one a couple of months ago so now I only have one large Ivory one.
>
>
> I used to have two, and just my luck they reproduced. Had bloody loads of
> little
> ones.
> I gave them away in the end.

I'd have no trouble selling them here. :-)
I paid about $3.00 each for them.

I used to gather the BIG ramshorn snails out of the San Marcos river
when I went snorkeling, (big specimens 1" across or more) and sell them
to a LFS in Temple 90 miles away for 25 cents each back when I was in
college.

Markets are where you find them....

I imagine that, if I really wanted to, I could sell the local wild
Elodia, Bomba and Taro root on ebay. The water plants get thick enough
to clog the river flow!

It'd be nice to make a profit on a renewable item that I did not have to
pay for! <lol>

The taro would be beautiful in ponds.
--
K.

Sprout the MungBean to reply

"I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell--you
see, I have friends in both places." --Mark Twain

[Angrie.Woman]

"Katra" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> andy smart > wrote:
>
>> Geezer From The Freezer wrote:
>> >
>> > Katra wrote:
>> >
>> >>
>> >>Apple snails don't reproduce at the rate ramshorn or conical snails
>> >>do...
>> >>I have one in with my betta and have no algae at all.
>> >>
>> >>He eats fish food too.
>> >>--
>> >
>> >
>> > Apple snails need a mate to reproduce too!
>> Err, how do I sex apple snails?
>
> <grins> I have no idea...
>
> I'm sure it could be googled! ;-)
>
Applesnail.net has info on sexing them...it involves peeking up their shell
a bit. :) I can't figure it out.

A

[andy smart]

Katra wrote:
> In article >,
> andy smart > wrote:
>
>
>>Katra wrote:
>>
>>>In article >,
>>> andy smart > wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Geezer From The Freezer wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Katra wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Apple snails don't reproduce at the rate ramshorn or conical snails do...
>>>>>>I have one in with my betta and have no algae at all.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>He eats fish food too.
>>>>>>--
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>Apple snails need a mate to reproduce too!
>>>>
>>>>Err, how do I sex apple snails?
>>>
>>>
>>><grins> I have no idea...
>>>
>>>I'm sure it could be googled! ;-)
>>>
>>>If you watch their behavior, I'd guess the one on top would be the male?
>>
>>Hey, you're right
>>http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwsnailreprofaqs.htm
>>
>>But it has nothing to do with choice of position....
>
>
> <rolls eyes>
>
> That was a rather poor attempt at humor.......
>
> Sorry! ;-)

The scary thing is that there is pretty much NOTHING you can't find via
google these days!

[Katra]

In article >,
"Angrie.Woman" > wrote:

> "Katra" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In article >,
> > andy smart > wrote:
> >
> >> Geezer From The Freezer wrote:
> >> >
> >> > Katra wrote:
> >> >
> >> >>
> >> >>Apple snails don't reproduce at the rate ramshorn or conical snails
> >> >>do...
> >> >>I have one in with my betta and have no algae at all.
> >> >>
> >> >>He eats fish food too.
> >> >>--
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Apple snails need a mate to reproduce too!
> >> Err, how do I sex apple snails?
> >
> > <grins> I have no idea...
> >
> > I'm sure it could be googled! ;-)
> >
> Applesnail.net has info on sexing them...it involves peeking up their shell
> a bit. :) I can't figure it out.
>
> A
>
>

ugh! I can't see any way to do it without killing them!!!
--
K.

Sprout the MungBean to reply

"I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell‹you
see, I have friends in both places." --Mark Twain

[Katra]

In article >,
andy smart > wrote:

> Katra wrote:
> > In article >,
> > andy smart > wrote:
> >
> >
> >>Katra wrote:
> >>
> >>>In article >,
> >>> andy smart > wrote:
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>Geezer From The Freezer wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>>Katra wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>>Apple snails don't reproduce at the rate ramshorn or conical snails
> >>>>>>do...
> >>>>>>I have one in with my betta and have no algae at all.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>He eats fish food too.
> >>>>>>--
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>Apple snails need a mate to reproduce too!
> >>>>
> >>>>Err, how do I sex apple snails?
> >>>
> >>>
> >>><grins> I have no idea...
> >>>
> >>>I'm sure it could be googled! ;-)
> >>>
> >>>If you watch their behavior, I'd guess the one on top would be the male?
> >>
> >>Hey, you're right
> >>http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwsnailreprofaqs.htm
> >>
> >>But it has nothing to do with choice of position....
> >
> >
> > <rolls eyes>
> >
> > That was a rather poor attempt at humor.......
> >
> > Sorry! ;-)
>
> The scary thing is that there is pretty much NOTHING you can't find via
> google these days!

I know what you mean....... ;-o
--
K.

Sprout the MungBean to reply

"I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell‹you
see, I have friends in both places." --Mark Twain

[Angrie.Woman]

"Katra" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> "Angrie.Woman" > wrote:
>
>> "Katra" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > In article >,
>> > andy smart > wrote:
>> >
>> >> Geezer From The Freezer wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> > Katra wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >>
>> >> >>Apple snails don't reproduce at the rate ramshorn or conical snails
>> >> >>do...
>> >> >>I have one in with my betta and have no algae at all.
>> >> >>
>> >> >>He eats fish food too.
>> >> >>--
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > Apple snails need a mate to reproduce too!
>> >> Err, how do I sex apple snails?
>> >
>> > <grins> I have no idea...
>> >
>> > I'm sure it could be googled! ;-)
>> >
>> Applesnail.net has info on sexing them...it involves peeking up their
>> shell
>> a bit. :) I can't figure it out.
>>
> ugh! I can't see any way to do it without killing them!!!

I can't seem to get a direct link to the page, so I am going to quote their
FAQ page here.

How can I see if a have a male or a female apple snail?
A: A relative easy (?) way to determine the sex of an apple snail is by
taking the snail out of the water, keep it on it's back and wait until the
animal comes out of its shell. At that moment you have to take a look at the
upper part of the right mantle cavity. Close to the edge of the shell, you
can see the penis sheath starting (take a look at the anatomy to get an idea
where to look for).
Some experience might be needed for this, but once you have seen the
difference between the male and the female snail you'll find it less
difficult to determine the sex of an apple in the future.
Another option is to wait until the snail copulate. When they're mating, the
male snail creeps on the shell of the female and puts his penis in her. At
that point you know that the one on top is the male and the other is the
female.
The third way to differentiate the sexes is based on the fact that male
snail have a rounder shell opening (aperture). In the case you are the lucky
owner of several apple snails, you can compare the aperture height/width to
determine the sexes of your snails.
There also is a fourth way: killing the animal and having a look at the
inside. But I guess you prefer to keep your snails alive.

A

[Katra]

In article >,
"Angrie.Woman" > wrote:

> "Katra" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In article >,
> > "Angrie.Woman" > wrote:
> >
> >> "Katra" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> > In article >,
> >> > andy smart > wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Geezer From The Freezer wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Katra wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>Apple snails don't reproduce at the rate ramshorn or conical snails
> >> >> >>do...
> >> >> >>I have one in with my betta and have no algae at all.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>He eats fish food too.
> >> >> >>--
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Apple snails need a mate to reproduce too!
> >> >> Err, how do I sex apple snails?
> >> >
> >> > <grins> I have no idea...
> >> >
> >> > I'm sure it could be googled! ;-)
> >> >
> >> Applesnail.net has info on sexing them...it involves peeking up their
> >> shell
> >> a bit. :) I can't figure it out.
> >>
> > ugh! I can't see any way to do it without killing them!!!
>
> I can't seem to get a direct link to the page, so I am going to quote their
> FAQ page here.
>
> How can I see if a have a male or a female apple snail?
> A: A relative easy (?) way to determine the sex of an apple snail is by
> taking the snail out of the water, keep it on it's back and wait until the
> animal comes out of its shell. At that moment you have to take a look at the
> upper part of the right mantle cavity. Close to the edge of the shell, you
> can see the penis sheath starting (take a look at the anatomy to get an idea
> where to look for).
> Some experience might be needed for this, but once you have seen the
> difference between the male and the female snail you'll find it less
> difficult to determine the sex of an apple in the future.
> Another option is to wait until the snail copulate. When they're mating, the
> male snail creeps on the shell of the female and puts his penis in her. At
> that point you know that the one on top is the male and the other is the
> female.
> The third way to differentiate the sexes is based on the fact that male
> snail have a rounder shell opening (aperture). In the case you are the lucky
> owner of several apple snails, you can compare the aperture height/width to
> determine the sexes of your snails.
> There also is a fourth way: killing the animal and having a look at the
> inside. But I guess you prefer to keep your snails alive.
>
> A
>
>

Very nice, thank you! :-)

Kat
--
K.

Sprout the MungBean to reply

"I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell‹you
see, I have friends in both places." --Mark Twain

[NanK]

Are Apple snails hardy?

n

[Angrie.Woman]

"NanK" > wrote in message
.. .
> Are Apple snails hardy?

Depends on what you mean by hardy. They won't survive a winter in an outdoor
pond, unless you're in a tropical climate.

But I've certainly had more luck with them than...say...neon tetras?

A

[Elaine T]

Angrie.Woman wrote:
> "NanK" > wrote in message
> .. .
>
>>Are Apple snails hardy?
>
>
> Depends on what you mean by hardy. They won't survive a winter in an outdoor
> pond, unless you're in a tropical climate.
>
> But I've certainly had more luck with them than...say...neon tetras?
>
> A
>
>
Gah. Not me. Neons don't climb out of the tank at the filter outflow,
whack holes in their shells when they fall, and die a couple weeks later
from the trauma. *sigh* I'm zero for two on mystery snails.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Katra]

In article >,
NanK > wrote:

> Are Apple snails hardy?
>
> n

I've found them to be more delicate than ramshorns, but they do ok
if tank conditions are kept for proper fish health.

They really like bloodworms. ;-)
--
K.

Sprout the MungBean to reply

"I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell--you
see, I have friends in both places." --Mark Twain

[Katra]

In article >,
Elaine T > wrote:

> Angrie.Woman wrote:
> > "NanK" > wrote in message
> > .. .
> >
> >>Are Apple snails hardy?
> >
> >
> > Depends on what you mean by hardy. They won't survive a winter in an
> > outdoor
> > pond, unless you're in a tropical climate.
> >
> > But I've certainly had more luck with them than...say...neon tetras?
> >
> > A
> >
> >
> Gah. Not me. Neons don't climb out of the tank at the filter outflow,
> whack holes in their shells when they fall, and die a couple weeks later
> from the trauma. *sigh* I'm zero for two on mystery snails.


Mine can't escape the tank...

I've found that they are a good indicator of a water problem tho' as
they will react sooner than the fish!
--
K.

Sprout the MungBean to reply

"I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell‹you
see, I have friends in both places." --Mark Twain

[Geezer From The Freezer]

"Angrie.Woman" wrote:
>
> "NanK" > wrote in message
> .. .
> > Are Apple snails hardy?
>
> Depends on what you mean by hardy. They won't survive a winter in an outdoor
> pond, unless you're in a tropical climate.
>
> But I've certainly had more luck with them than...say...neon tetras?
>
> A

They need PH7+ otherwise their shells erode!

[Angrie.Woman]

"Elaine T" > wrote in message
...
> Angrie.Woman wrote:
>> "NanK" > wrote in message
>> .. .
>>
>>>Are Apple snails hardy?
>>
>>
>> Depends on what you mean by hardy. They won't survive a winter in an
>> outdoor pond, unless you're in a tropical climate.
>>
>> But I've certainly had more luck with them than...say...neon tetras?
>>
>> A
> Gah. Not me. Neons don't climb out of the tank at the filter outflow,
> whack holes in their shells when they fall, and die a couple weeks later
> from the trauma. *sigh* I'm zero for two on mystery snails.

I'm so sorry for your loss! Especially an advanced keeper such as yourself,
too - surprises me.

I just love mine!

Angela

[Angrie.Woman]

"Geezer From The Freezer" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> "Angrie.Woman" wrote:
>>
>> "NanK" > wrote in message
>> .. .
>> > Are Apple snails hardy?
>>
>> Depends on what you mean by hardy. They won't survive a winter in an
>> outdoor
>> pond, unless you're in a tropical climate.
>>
>> But I've certainly had more luck with them than...say...neon tetras?
>>
>> A
>
> They need PH7+ otherwise their shells erode!

They need calcium, too. Mine eats oranges and broccoli, plus sucks on
driftwood. I don't know how much else I can do.

A

[NanK]

>>
> Gah. Not me. Neons don't climb out of the tank at the filter outflow,
> whack holes in their shells when they fall, and die a couple weeks later
> from the trauma. *sigh* I'm zero for two on mystery snails.
>
They climb out of the TANK??!!

Really?? Not good for me.

[Elaine T]

NanK wrote:
>
>>>
>> Gah. Not me. Neons don't climb out of the tank at the filter
>> outflow, whack holes in their shells when they fall, and die a couple
>> weeks later from the trauma. *sigh* I'm zero for two on mystery snails.
>>
> They climb out of the TANK??!!
>
> Really?? Not good for me.

Apple/mystery snails have a lung as well as gills and even lay their
eggs out of water. They will explore the dry spaces above the tank if
they don't like the water, or if they are looking for good egg-laying spots.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Katra]

In article >,
NanK > wrote:

> >>
> > Gah. Not me. Neons don't climb out of the tank at the filter outflow,
> > whack holes in their shells when they fall, and die a couple weeks later
> > from the trauma. *sigh* I'm zero for two on mystery snails.
> >
> They climb out of the TANK??!!
>
> Really?? Not good for me.

They are amphibious, and lay their eggs above the water line.

Mine can't get out of the betta tank because of the way the top is
made...

No "out" access.
--
K.

Sprout the MungBean to reply

"I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell--you
see, I have friends in both places." --Mark Twain

[~Roy]

Not if water temps get into the 60's for any length of time.

On Wed, 08 Jun 2005 00:10:20 GMT, "Angrie.Woman"
> wrote:

>===<>
>===<>"NanK" > wrote in message
.. .
>===<>> Are Apple snails hardy?
>===<>
>===<>Depends on what you mean by hardy. They won't survive a winter in an outdoor
>===<>pond, unless you're in a tropical climate.
>===<>
>===<>But I've certainly had more luck with them than...say...neon tetras?
>===<>
>===<>A
>===<>


==============================================
Put some color in your cheeks...garden naked!
"The original frugal ponder"
~~~~ }<((((o> ~~~~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~~~~~ }<(((((o>