Jackie Frost

How do you even purchase an Apple Snail? I want one badly for my tank, but every LPS I called didn't have any. Apparently they are considered an eco-hazzard in America How did you guys get yours?

iloveengl

Hmmm, it may just be a name confusion with your store owners (or a particular state regulation) because they sell them everywhere around here. They call them "mystery snails." Chain stores like Walmart and Petsmart carry different colors of mystery snails and our LFS just got a couple mammoth apple snails (the type that get softball size). They also sell them at aquabid. Maybe it's just because "apple snail" is used as a general term, so the stores aren't thinking of the same snail type that you are looking for. Try asking for "mystery snails."

mathas

There's a lot of confusion about that point, mainly because the term "apple snail" can mean many species, as iloveengl pointed out.

More information can be found here: Apple Snails

aquarist48

Are mystery snails also apple snails? Or are they different types of snails?
A: In some sources the name apple snail and mystery snail are considered to be synonyms for the snails of the family Ampullariidae. The name apple snail refers to there size, colour and form, while the name mystery snail comes from the fact that the aquarium market didn't know what kind of snail it was or where it came from, so it was a mystery (snail) for them.
In other sources, the mystery snails are described as snails from the family Viviparidae. The snails from this family look very similar to the snails from the family Ampullariidae, but they do lack a lung and labial tentacles and are livebearing snails (hence the name Viviparidae).
Most snails sold as 'mystery snails' in the shops are Pomacea bridgesii snails.

The above information came from here:
Apple snail FAQ

My LFS stated that Apple snails are no longer shipped to the U.S.
Ken

Jackie Frost

Thank you Ilovengl!

I went to that aquabid website you mentioned and was assulted with apple snails! Gold, blue, red ...they even had Trapdoor snails! They had almost every kind of aquarium snail you could think of! And reasonably priced too.

I might still try the pet stores, but I doubt they will have the kind of variety available at aquabid. So when the time comes I think that's where I'll go for my snails. I love ya, Iloveengl Now if only my tank would cycle faster.

Oh and thank you too Aquarist48. I did visit that site you mentioned and it certianly had lots of helpful information on Apple Snails.

I'm thankful to everyone for their suggestions. Group hug everyone!

iloveengl

Glad you found your snails! We love our little buggers - so much fun. There are some b-e-a-u-t -i-f-u-l mystery snails on aquabid! Love to see pics once the tank cycles and you find some that you like!