apple snails

[asparagus]

Ok, its me again!
Im thinking of adding an apple snail or two to my (future) betta tank (5 gallon bowfront something or other I ordered) as well as to my (future- is currently cycling) 29 gallon tank. Do they have to go into a cycled tank just like a regular fish? Can they get along with bettas, cories, platies, mollies and otos? What about guppies? (so far thats the fish I currently want in a variety of tanks- grin) Anyone have any problems with these combos?
I dont want snail babies- can I get 2 male snails for each tank? How many inches of fish do they count as? They can grow anywhere from 3-6 inches. So if I get 2, do I count 12 inches of fish or 6 inches? Do you count them as fish inches? In my 5 gallon betta tank- the betta counts as 3 inches- can I still get 2 apple snails without overcrowding?
The yellow ones are so neat!
Thanks again for all the help!
Asparagus

 

[mandi]

Have you checked out http/www.applesnail.net yet? I think you'll find a lot of your answers there. Its a great site.

I wouldn't worry too much about your snails reproducing. That's one of the things I love best about apple snails -- they lay their eggs in big clutches, above the water line. All you have to do is grab them and throw them away (they take 2-4 weeks to hatch, depending on temperature so it gives you more than enough time to get rid of them).

They come in SO many beautiful colors. I ordered mine from here http/home.houston.rr.com/applesnails/ -- I've gotten the lavendar, blue, jade, gold, ivory, and chestnut ones. They're lovely little critters

 

[elgecko]

The only problem I had with Apple Snails in my community tank was some of the fish trying to eat their tentacles. I moved the snails to their own tank with White Clouds which did not bother the snails.

 

[blue_ram]

If there's enough food, Apple snails become big, fat pooping machines. I didn't realize this when I threw them in my 10g and 30g. I don't recommend them for 5g. Of course, you could let them starve a little....

Do they have to go into a cycled tank just like a regular fish?

Yes. Although they have lungs (and gills), they cannot breath air for extended period.

Can they get along with bettas, cories, platies, mollies and otos? What about guppies? (so far thats the fish I currently want in a variety of tanks- grin)

They've been getting along pretty well with my bettas, corys, mollies, and otos. They'll get along well with any fish that doesn't bother them.

Anyone have any problems with these combos?

Just with guppies. They usually get picked on constantly by mollies and probably betta as well. Also, 5g is pretty small. You probably won't able to stock it with more than a single betta, a starving snail, a platy, and may be an oto.

can I get 2 male snails for each tank? How many inches of fish do they count as? They can grow anywhere from 3-6 inches.

Let me put it this way. After having a single apple snail in my 10g, my nitrate reading doubled. Basically, that 1.5" snail is producing about the same amount of waste as all my fish (8) put togather. Apparently, the snail is finding enough algae and fish food to keep himself happy. Unfortunately, the water quaility has been going down hill pretty fast after the snail's been introduced. Only good thing about the snail is that it's a darn good algae eater.

In my 5 gallon betta tank- the betta counts as 3 inches- can I still get 2 apple snails without overcrowding?
The yellow ones are so neat!

The yellow snail will soon turn green (or brown), as it's covered with algae. My oto keeps him clean though. My recommendation is forget the snail, unless you have 20g+ tank to keep them. Because if that big snail dies, it will pollute the water pretty bad, and kill your fish. Well, maybe betta might survive... For 10g or less, get shrimps instead.

 

[Talisman]

I got a couple last Thurs and by Sat i had to take them back to my LFS, they had eaten thru 5 of my established plants.

What was looking really good and healthy plant wise, turned rubbish in two days.

2 plants had been completely eaten and gone. 1 nice long thin leaved plant got stripped at the bottom and i was fishing out the leaves from the top of the tank all the time, another finer one was the same, nipped from the bottom so the stem and plant just floated around the top and the last 1 they ate all the leaves and left the stems.

didnt want them to ruin the tank completely so bye bye

 

[asparagus]

Ok, now that I saw that site where you can get the pretty colors, Im thinking I really want these buggers. (grin). They're just TOO CUTE!!!
If I put one in my 5 gallon with just a betta AND a filter AND say...50% water changes weekly, will that help with the water quality problem?
I dont want to starve the little guy either...
I think he'd be ok in my 29 gallon tank b/c Ill have 2 ottos and 3 cories in there to help keep him clean, plus my filter, right?
Im having all silk plants- no live ones. Too hard for me right now- this is my first tank(s) so I dont have to worry about him eating them. I was going to feed him algae wafers and zuccinni slices.
What do you think? Will that solve the issues above?
Thanks!

 

[candy]

i love my snails, i have 4. 2 apple and 2 mystery they are so good at cleaning and the mystery dont eat the plants my better loves the nails too and my pleco like sitting on them..they are a funky little pets to have.. hope u have fun keeping them