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I just bought my first two apple snails the other day. I picked up one for a friend who has an algae problem in his tank of 5 tiger barbs. I'm not sure how it'll do with them as the male is a total bully, but for now I'm keeping it in quarantine at my house and if it gets picked on I'll bring it home with me.
Anyway, I found them at Petco in a tank full of empty shells (or dead-looking shells.) One was floating and one was on the bottom. The guy pulled them out for me and smelled them, and assured me that if they were dead they would smell "like crazy". I brought them home and still wasn't sure, even as I put them in the tank. They didn't move for a day and a half, and totally ignored the algae wafers I dropped in for them. But then they finally started crawling around, even though I don't think they've eaten much yet.
They are blue, according to a website I found that identifies colors - white shell, black body, no stripes. I will post pictures tomorrow.
I am going to get them some fresh veggies to see if that's what they prefer, but should I be worried yet? I've had them 3 nights.
August 6 2006, 00:57:49 UTC 5 years ago
I wouldn't be worrying too much if it's only been three nights. Hopefully they'll pick up once you get some veggies. Don't forget to microwave them for 20 seconds or so before offering (so they're soft) and find a way to secure them so the snails can really get in and have a good munch. You also might want to add either some liquid calcium or a source such as egg shells or a cuttle bone to the tank. If your guys do take off with the whole eating thing they'll probably grow very quickly and extra calcium will be good for their shells.
Good luck!
August 6 2006, 01:38:04 UTC 5 years ago
How do I do the egg shell thing? Crush and throw in the water?
And is liquid calcium/egg shells, etc. safe for tankmates, too? Right now they are in a 2.5 quarantine tank that I am cleaning daily with turkey baster and partial water changes and stuff, but soon one will hopefully go to the tiger barbs and the other will go into a 5 gallon with a betta. I will also soon have a 40 gallon community tropical tank in case either of these situations don't work out.
Sorry for all the questions. Thanks!