Apple/mystery snails like to eat some algae, but I also feed them veggie wafers. Apple/Mystery snails are either a female or a male and you won't know until they mature. 3 of my 4 snails are males because the 3 males are constantly trying to get at "goldie" my female snail. "Tiki" my ivory male snail won the mating match. As for other snail species, be careful because they can be both sexes which means you could end up with over populating-babie-snails with no end in sight.
Sorry to say, loaches do kill snails. For more info. go to this site:
http://network.bestfriends.org/frien...ews/13270.html
or go to : www.bestfriends.org
and look up fish/apple snails

I just noticed that you have loaches in your 29 gallon aquarium. You may not want to put apple/mystery snails in with them because I believe loaches will kill snails. I will check a freshwater compatiablity chart for you and let you know tomorrow.

Your tanks are very nice I have been thinking about getting some kind of snail...I heard they eat algae and aerate the gravel,is that true?

Thanks for viewing my picture of my blue snail. I have 4 apple snails and I think 2 of them just mated today. I am hoping for snail babies. I also have a betta, 8 neon tetras, 2 black moors, 4 cory cats & 3 platies split up between 2 = 20 gallon aquariums.
It was nice chatting. See ya.....