iloveengl

My LFS recently acquired two apple snails. I don't mean the mystery snails that get golfball size (I have two of those ), but the kind that gets, well, apple size. One of them is about 5 inches high in shell, the other is about 4 inches shell height. I'd post their latin name, but it's escaping me atm.

Anywho, I know my little mystery snails are poopy little critters. Any guesses on the bioload of these giants? How many gallons of water each would you wager they need in terms of bioload? Also, I know my mystery snails are zippity as all get out. How big of a tank do you think a snail that size would need to roam about and feel comfy?

I'm thinking 40-55g. Does that sound right? Larger?

Thanks!

eiginh

Here's a good site for them, it has info of both mystery and apple. It also states the latin/scientific name for your soon to be pets

http://www.applesnail.net/content/main.htm

iloveengl

Thanks, eiginh. I refer to it often for my mystery snails - it's a great site. I browsed it before posting this and wasn't able to find info on these big big snails.

BUT, the page you posted contained the Latin name I was looking for! Pomacea maculata

I'll do some reading on them now and see what info. I can find for them.

Update: After searching under their Latin name, I can find very little info on these larger types in aquaria.

So, I'm gonna need some educated guesses on this one from my fellow mystery snail owners. How big a tank for bioload and "swim" space for Pomacea maculata?

eiginh

I'm glad I was kind of some sort of help...

aquarist48

Hello Ilovee. I can't find anything that states exactly what their bio load is. I have read in the past that snails consume much more food waste than they produce and that's why they are worth having. (although I love them myself) I don't take my snails into consideration as far as bio load goes, just the fish.
Ken

eiginh

I agree with ken as they eat more and produce waste less but I can't find the source!!! Good morning Ken

aquarist48

http://www.ultimatebettas.com/index.php?showtopic=7962
I just found this link above and if you'll scroll down to the Min/Max Tank Size it states 1 for every 2.5g's of water. Too, to use the 1" per gallon guide line when stocking and it's best to under stock since they are large waste producers.
Ken (hello eiginh)

iloveengl

Cool Thanks for the help you two!

Hmm, so if they get to 6", I should figure about a 20g tank without fish. I'm gonna have to think about this. It's the coolest looking thing I've seen (plus I love my little mystery snails), but WOW that's a lot of tank for one snail....

Thanks for helping me make an educated decision on this! Mucho appreciated! I'm starting to think this awesome dude is just too much for us right now. Kinda a bummer. Hmmm...

aquarist48

Good morning Ilovee. If I were to find a LARGE Apple Snail I think I would have to get 2 and see how things go. I can't find them around here and I'm not a big fan of shipping live critters. If you ever get 1 or 2 keep us posted.
Ken