Allie

All the facts you need to know.
http://www.applesnail.net/

armadillo

Hi everyone

Am thinking of getting one or two apple snails to keep one of my female bettas company in her tank (Allie gave me the idea).

Actually, I'd love two, as I love that they come in different colours. But I have like a ton of questions:

• can you tell the male/female apart?
• what do they eat?
• how big do they get (it would be for a 5G tank)
• are they really such big polluters?
• any records of attacks on humans? I like them, but theyr'e quite yucky. So if they're going to pounce on my hand everytime it's in there then, no thank ya. OK, OK, am getting a grip. I know, I know, they're just snails, not vampires!

Tom

I think that the answer to all your questions is 15. lol
Tom

armadillo

Oh, not 21?

armadillo

Thanks, Allie.

OK, just did my homework. I don't like the fact that they're big polluters. It would be for a tiny tank (5G). Mmmh.

Also, they said that if you take good care of them, they could reach 15cm!

Allie

Yup...our were the size of my pinky nail a month ago...now some are nearly 1.5"...the ones in the 120g are huge!

armadillo

Ooooh, but I wanted one for a 5G.

Allie

I did have one in my 5g with Sammy but no one else except the minnows for 2 days.

armadillo

Am thinking if they're such polluters, it might not work long-term, right? (5G with 1 betta and 1 apple snail)

Allie

I honestly can't see why it wouldn't...as long as you are doing your water changes. Plus the apple snails in the smaller tanks here aren't as big as the ones in the 120g. We got them all at the same time too.

armadillo

Oh I thought they were such big polluters that I'd have to change the water at least twice a week in a 5G. Not your experience, then?

Allie

Not as of so far. If you do get one...make sure it can't escape out the top...they'll climb right out and commit suicide. I've lost 4 already.

armadillo

You're kidding!!! Man, going to check for gaps in the hood now. Thanks for the tip!

Oh, and here's a couple of pictures. I got a blue one because... he's the same colour as my kitchen, LOL.

I have to admit am kind of grossed out by it still.

Attached Images

	web-betta-apple-snail-02.jpg (10.5 KB, 13 views)
	web-betta-apple-snail-.jpg (11.4 KB, 10 views)
	web-apple-snail0-03.jpg (7.3 KB, 11 views)
	web-apple-snail-03.jpg (8.7 KB, 12 views)
	web-apple-snail-02.jpg (4.4 KB, 16 views)

Allie

Wow he is pretty...mine are so yellow.

armadillo

Thanks, Allie! Am thinking of getting a yellow one for the other female betta tank if things go well with this one (pollution-wise) and also in terms of unforeseen problems.