Freshwater Snails (Family Gastropoda)
Aquatic snails are to be found in a wide array of sizes and shapes. Although usually relegated to the role of scavenger in the aquarium, and paid little heed, they are extremely interesting animals that deserve close attention. Larger species, especially, need supplemental food and cannot survive solely on the leftovers of others.
Snails of many types may easily be collected in most aquatic habitats. Be sure to slowly adjust them to the water in which they are to be kept, as it is likely very different from their home pond. Many species are tolerant of varying water chemistries if the introduction is made slowly.
When keeping snails with fish or other animals, be sure that the snails get enough to eat. This is particularly true of items such as algae tablets, which fish will consume before the snails can feed. One way around this is to feed the snails a food that your other animals do not favor, such as vegetables or greens.
Most snails breed readily in the aquarium. Individuals contain both male and female organs, but they do need to mate to produce viable eggs. The eggs can be left to fend for themselves — although fish and other snails will consume the eggs, some young will survive. Apple snails and their relatives deposit their eggs just above the water line, usually on the aquarium glass. These egg masses are enclosed in a sort of hard cocoon and should be sprayed daily with water. The hatchlings will fall into the aquarium and begin to forage immediately upon emergence.
While food preferences vary from species to species, most snails are fairly undemanding in their requirements. Nearly all will accept algae tablets, greens that have been soaked in hot water, tropical fish flake food, and bits of fish. Any animal that dies in the aquarium will quickly attract their attention. Although many, especially the smaller types, will eat only decaying vegetation, some do favor living plants. Those that do can eat an astonishing amount in a short time, so keep an eye on any new species that you introduce. Most snails also scrape algae from the glass and will appreciate an algae-covered stone on which to feed. A bit of cuttlebone or plaster of Paris will provide necessary calcium in the diet. Despite their overall hardiness, most snails require clean water and will congregate at the surface when water quality deteriorates.
Several related species called apple snails are occasionally offered for sale in the pet trade. Growing to the size of a child's fist, a fully extended apple snail is impressive to behold. Golden and white morphs are now available as well. The apple snail is one of the species that consumes live aquatic plants, and it will feed on the items listed in the previous section as well. As mentioned earlier, the egg mass is attached to the aquarium glass above the water line and should be sprayed with a fine mist of water daily.
