Apple Snails Vs. Assassin Snails

[This Old Spouse]

I just lost my second apple snail in about 3 months. I don't think it's because of my assassins, but just wanted to check to see if anyone on the forum has noticed any problems keeping both. I'd like to get some more to put in my cory tank, but I also have lots of assassins in there and don't want them to gang up on the apples!

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Assassins can take down an apple but not a full size adult, seen them take a few marble sized ones. Whats you ph and what do you feed your apples?

 

[This Old Spouse]

Assassins can take down an apple but not a full size adult, seen them take a few marble sized ones. Whats you ph and what do you feed your apples?

I wasn't feeding anything other than the fish food, veggie wafers, sinking pellets and peas. My pH is 6.5.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Apples are very hungry and messy i see alot people struggle to keep them for more then 6 months or so and sometimes it due to them starving. The ph is low for them as well, i had 400 in tank at one stage and they would crash my ph in no time as they try absorb everthing to have a strong shell, as you know messing with ph is a nightmare so adding liquid calcium for them or tums will give them a big boost and wont effect there tank mates much

 

[This Old Spouse]

I think it might be my 55g that affects snails in a bad way. Even my pond and ramshorn snails have white striping. I had moved the last apple snail to my cory tank and it rallied for a day or so, but I think it was too late and I found it had died over my Christmas holiday. They're just so gorgeous, though, that I'm hoping I can try them again in that tank. What's the best feeding plan for them?

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Having so many i used to bake snail cookies funny enough giant one then freeze them untill needed. Algae wafers, some blanched spinach, bit of cucumber, fish food, brine shrimps just make sure you Supplement Calcium in one way or another

 

[This Old Spouse]

OMG ... I had to read that twice! First time I thought you were baking cookies made with snails!

Tell me the recipe!

 

[BigbruiserAl]

OMG ... I had to read that twice! First time I thought you were baking cookies made with snails!

Tell me the recipe!

haha there loads of ways remeber i was cooking for a big family but heres a few

*
1 1/2 cups dog food (I used a chicken/rice one)
1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice
1/2 cup cream of wheat (Or Farina, oatmeal, etc)
1 can cooked spinach
3 eggs and shells
1 large can pure pumpkin puree
calcium supplements if desired

*
1 can of baby food (4-6 oz)
1 tsp+ fish food (may be omitted)
Calcium/vitamin supplements (may be omitted)
1 packet (= 1 tablespoon) unflavored gelatin


*
2 pkgs of unflavored gelatin
About
1/2 cup cooked dandilion greens
1/2 c. frozen turnip greens
1/2 c. canned baby peas
water to blend to a smoothy consistancy
1/4 cup fish flakes
3 Tbs shrimp pellets
3 Tbs spiratuela (sp) pellets
few drops maybe 1/8 tsp of liquid calcium

There is 3 and to be fair you can make it up as long as its snail safe, these stink the house out btw once you mixed them and baked them

 

[This Old Spouse]

Fantastic! So ... Once you mix all the ingredients, then what? I do bake for the humans in my house, but never for snails. Do you proceed as if you're baking cookies? Marble-sized drops? 350º for 10 minutes?

 

[BigbruiserAl]

As a rule blend it all best you can drop spoonfuls onto greased cookie trays, flatten with a folk dipped in oil or sprayed with cooking spray like "Pam" and bake at 300 degrees til cooked through. Centers will be slightly soft to the touch. Remove from oven and dry on racks til cool, freeze until use.

These are instant sinkers and you might need some trial and error to get it right

I had some really nice shells and colours from looking after them, still have not seen better snails colours then my ones

 

[This Old Spouse]

They're just beautiful. Thanks so much for the recipes! I'm filing this away until I get some more snails. Wish I could get some of yours!

 

[TwoTankAmin]

For those of you Americans who don't want to become a chef to the snails:

Ken's Premium Veggie Sticks With Calcium

He developed this food at the request of a friend of mine who breeds and imports a lot of inverts which she sells.