How often should I offer food to my mystery snails?

Hi everyone. I just picked up two mystery snails today, one didn't waste anytime burrowing in the sand and has been there ever since. The other found a hiding spot under a swim through for my Betta.
Anyways, how often should I offer food for them? I'm considering getting some fresh greens for them, like cucumbers and such.
I originally wanted to get one mystery and one nerite. However the store didn't have any nerite. Would it be okay to add a nerite or two down the line?

 

Hi everyone. I just picked up two mystery snails today, one didn't waste anytime burrowing in the sand and has been there ever since. The other found a hiding spot under a swim through for my Betta.
Anyways, how often should I offer food for them? I'm considering getting some fresh greens for them, like cucumbers and such.
I originally wanted to get one mystery and one nerite. However the store didn't have any nerite. Would it be okay to add a nerite or two down the line?

Hello
What size is your tank? Is the betta the only other resident aside from the snails?

 

Hi everyone. I just picked up two mystery snails today, one didn't waste anytime burrowing in the sand and has been there ever since. The other found a hiding spot under a swim through for my Betta.
Anyways, how often should I offer food for them? I'm considering getting some fresh greens for them, like cucumbers and such.
I originally wanted to get one mystery and one nerite. However the store didn't have any nerite. Would it be okay to add a nerite or two down the line?

I would feed them fresh veggies at least 2 times a week. I would do zucchini over cucumber though, more nutritious. You can feed them algae wafers and snello too but you will have to make sure your betta doesn't gorge on them also.

I would also watch the betta and make sure he isn't nipping their long antennae's. Nerites may be a better choice unless he doesn't bother them. How many depends on your tank size.

 

Hello
What size is your tank? Is the betta the only other resident aside from the snails?

The tank is 6 gallons. Also yes he's the only fish

I would feed them fresh veggies at least 2 times a week. I would do zucchini over cucumber though, more nutritious. You can feed them algae wafers and snello too but you will have to make sure your betta doesn't gorge on them also.

I would also watch the betta and make sure he isn't nipping their long antennae's. Nerites may be a better choice unless he doesn't bother them. How many depends on your tank size.

Ah okay I'll go for zucchini instead thanks. The Betta doesn't seem to be a nipper on his own currently, not nipping at stuff in the tank and such, but of course that can change with snails so I'll definitely watch him.

 

The tank is 6 gallons. Also yes he's the only fish

Ah okay I'll go for zucchini instead thanks. The Betta doesn't seem to be a nipper on his own currently, not nipping at stuff in the tank and such, but of course that can change with snails so I'll definitely watch him.

The general rule is 1 snail per 5 gallons as they do produce waste just like any other tank inhabitant. So, unfortunately I wouldn’t suggest getting any more snails. As StarGirl suggested, you should definitely supplement their diet with veggies and you could use algae wafers also because there most likely won’t be enough just lying around for them to both get enough to eat otherwise.

I have one nerite in a 5 gallon with my male betta and I’ve not had any issues with aggression but every betta is different. So, keep an eye to make sure he’s not picking on them. That could cause stress amongst all three.

 

The general rule is 1 snail per 5 gallons as they do produce waste just like any other tank inhabitant. So, unfortunately I wouldn’t suggest getting any more snails. As StarGirl suggested, you should definitely supplement their diet with veggies and you could use algae wafers also because there most likely won’t be enough just lying around for them to both get enough to eat otherwise.

I have one nerite in a 5 gallon with my male betta and I’ve not had any issues with aggression but every betta is different. So, keep an eye to make sure he’s not picking on them. That could cause stress amongst all three.

Ah okay. Thank you.
Would wafers for plecos or bottom feeders be good? I've had a pleco in the past and those are what I got.
I'll definitely keep an eye on them for sure. Hopefully the little guy doesn't become a bully

 

Ah okay. Thank you.
Would wafers for plecos or bottom feeders be good? I've had a pleco in the past and those are what I got.
I'll definitely keep an eye on them for sure. Hopefully the little guy doesn't become a bully

I’d say yes, those will work. Just try to put them near to where your snails are so it doesn’t start to decompose before they manage to find it. Lol. And keep an eye on your betta, I’ve had some that liked those too and overate. Little angry piggies.

 

I’d say yes, those will work. Just try to put them near to where your snails are so it doesn’t start to decompose before they manage to find it. Lol. And keep an eye on your betta, I’ve had some that liked those too and overate. Little angry piggies.

Great thanks, I'll be sure to pick those up.
Oh yeah they definitely can be. My first Betta will try to eat anything that goes in his tank including my hand he's just a little overly curious.
My newest one (that will go in the tank with the snails) hasn't seemed to be so curious and is more interested in exploring, hopefully that means everyone is happy hah

 

Great thanks, I'll be sure to pick those up.
Oh yeah they definitely can be. My first Betta will try to eat anything that goes in his tank including my hand he's just a little overly curious.
My newest one (that will go in the tank with the snails) hasn't seemed to be so curious and is more interested in exploring, hopefully that means everyone is happy hah

Sure, no problem. It’s definitely different with each and every betta. I think that’s why we love them so much too because they’re each so unique. I’d love to see pics of them all together.

Here’s one of mine..Stitches the betta, Taco the Snail.

Sure, no problem. It’s definitely different with each and every betta. I think that’s why we love them so much too because they’re each so unique. I’d love to see pics of them all together.

Here’s one of mine..Stitches the betta, Taco the Snail.

Also, I learned although I paid for a nerite..I definitely got a mystery snail. So, it was a mystery to me at first what his true identity was. Haha.

 

Sure, no problem. It’s definitely different with each and every betta. I think that’s why we love them so much too because they’re each so unique. I’d love to see pics of them all together.

Here’s one of mine..Stitches the betta, Taco the Snail.

Also, I learned although I paid for a nerite..I definitely got a mystery snail. So, it was a mystery to me at first what his true identity was. Haha.

Oh definitely, I love seeing the whole little personalities of them coming out.

Aw they're so cute! Love the long fins of stitches

The first one, is J. The curious bean.

The second is Cosmo the young one who gets excited alot with the zoomies.

Then the snails. I haven't identified the gender of one of them, but I'm pretty sure I've got one male. So now it's just figuring out the gender of the other and coming up with names

 

one didn't waste anytime burrowing in the sand and has been there ever since.

Can we see a photo of your mystery snails? I have never experienced my mysteries burrowing in the sand. I have to wonder if you got true mystery snails or if the species was just a mystery to the shop you got them from so were just called mystery snails

By the way. I feed my mystery snails something daily. They have big appetites and will eat just about anything you drop in there. .

edited to add: Very pretty mystery snail(s). I have a golden on its way to me right now. Are the 2 photos above the same snail or one of each of the 2 snails.

 

Can we see a photo of your mystery snails? I have never experienced my mysteries burrowing in the sand. I have to wonder if you got true mystery snails or if the species was just a mystery to the shop you got them from so were just called mystery snails

By the way. I feed my mystery snails something daily. They have big appetites and will eat just about anything you drop in there. .

edited to add: Very pretty mystery snail(s). I have a golden on its way to me right now. Are the 2 photos above the same snail or one of each of the 2 snails.

Yes that's both of them in separate pics there.
Hm okay well I'll have to pick up some goodies for them tomorrow.
Here's a pic of the one burrowing until he was completely covered

 

Yes that's both of them in separate pics there.
Hm okay well I'll have to pick up some goodies for them tomorrow.
Here's a pic of the one burrowing until he was completely covered

Thank you for sharing the photos of your burrowing mystery snail. None of mine have ever done that so it was a new experience for me. Did the little guy stay like that for a while? I am wondering if it was smelling some kind of goodie under there.

Some folks blanch fresh veggies for their MS. I don't and they don't seem to have a problem cleaning it up in a hurry. the main problem with feeding it raw is it will float so has to be weighed down. The problem with blanching is it will foal the water quicker if they don't eat all of it right away. I rotate through fresh veggies, algae wafers, veggie rounds, shrimp pellets and even some of the crisps or flakes I feed my fish. They pounce on whatever I put in there for them.

 

Can we see a photo of your mystery snails? I have never experienced my mysteries burrowing in the sand. I have to wonder if you got true mystery snails or if the species was just a mystery to the shop you got them from so were just called mystery snails

By the way. I feed my mystery snails something daily. They have big appetites and will eat just about anything you drop in there. .

edited to add: Very pretty mystery snail(s). I have a golden on its way to me right now. Are the 2 photos above the same snail or one of each of the 2 snails.

Do you feed them daily even if there’s algae in the tank for them to eat? Although I do supplement a couple times a week, I never thought to feed them everyday.

Oh definitely, I love seeing the whole little personalities of them coming out.

Aw they're so cute! Love the long fins of stitches

The first one, is J. The curious bean.

The second is Cosmo the young one who gets excited alot with the zoomies.

Then the snails. I haven't identified the gender of one of them, but I'm pretty sure I've got one male. So now it's just figuring out the gender of the other and coming up with names

They’re both so pretty. Cosmo looks like a zoomies kinda fish. Haha. I’m not sure the gender of my mystery snail either..but I figured Taco would work both ways.

let us know what you decide to name them.

 

Do you feed them daily even if there’s algae in the tank for them to eat? Although I do supplement a couple times a week, I never thought to feed them everyday.

I don't have much in the way of algae in my tanks. They do get some food by keeping the glass clean but yes, I feed mine daily. Is it absolutely necessary, probably not but I can't handle seeing a hungry creature of any kind.

 

I don't have much in the way of algae in my tanks. They do get some food by keeping the glass clean but yes, I feed mine daily. Is it absolutely necessary, probably not but I can't handle seeing a hungry creature of any kind.

I’m the same way! I always wanna give extra snacks and goodies to all my tank inhabitants. I have to stop myself. Lol. My tank is in a south facing room so it gets tons of natural light and therefore tons of algae. Maybe once he gets the tank clean, I’ll start feeding him everyday. Thanks for the info!

 

Thank you for sharing the photos of your burrowing mystery snail. None of mine have ever done that so it was a new experience for me. Did the little guy stay like that for a while? I am wondering if it was smelling some kind of goodie under there.

Some folks blanch fresh veggies for their MS. I don't and they don't seem to have a problem cleaning it up in a hurry. the main problem with feeding it raw is it will float so has to be weighed down. The problem with blanching is it will foal the water quicker if they don't eat all of it right away. I rotate through fresh veggies, algae wafers, veggie rounds, shrimp pellets and even some of the crisps or flakes I feed my fish. They pounce on whatever I put in there for them.

He stayed there for about a day or so, until he decided it was safe to come out hah.

Do you feed them daily even if there’s algae in the tank for them to eat? Although I do supplement a couple times a week, I never thought to feed them everyday.

They’re both so pretty. Cosmo looks like a zoomies kinda fish. Haha. I’m not sure the gender of my mystery snail either..but I figured Taco would work both ways.

let us know what you decide to name them.

Cosmo wasn't very active when I got him though so it kinda surprised me hah.
However I might be considering something else instead of the snails. As I saw how quickly they make a.mess with their tiny piles of poo everywhere. E v e r y wh er e

 

He stayed there for about a day or so, until he decided it was safe to come out hah.

Cosmo wasn't very active when I got him though so it kinda surprised me hah.
However I might be considering something else instead of the snails. As I saw how quickly they make a.mess with their tiny piles of poo everywhere. E v e r y wh er e

Hahaha. Little piles of mini golden poop nuggets. I think their poop piles are worth all the work they do for us though!

 

Hahaha. Little piles of mini golden poop nuggets. I think their poop piles are worth all the work they do for us though!

Haha I'm sure they do for larger tanks! However like a few people said, 2 is probably too much for my 6 gallons. I just would rather not look at tiny nuggets that look like bugs all over the place, especially on my filter making it look like a fungus or something

 

Haha I'm sure they do for larger tanks! However like a few people said, 2 is probably too much for my 6 gallons. I just would rather not look at tiny nuggets that look like bugs all over the place, especially on my filter making it look like a fungus or something

Maybe just keep one then The burrowing one! He’s so unique lol

 

Maybe just keep one then The burrowing one! He’s so unique lol

I would love to, but I think I'll have to think about it and consider their poo amounts.

 

I would love to, but I think I'll have to think about it and consider their poo amounts.

I feel that way about my toddler sometimes..

Maybe invent a diaper...for snails. Hmm..

 

I feel that way about my toddler sometimes..

Maybe invent a diaper...for snails. Hmm..

Hey that would probably be a good product to invest in

 

Hey that would probably be a good product to invest in

All’s I can think about now is a snail wearing a diaper and it’s giving me the giggles.