Snails

[lizjamie]

I am thinking of getting an apple snail as a friend for my oranda in my 58 litre tank. I have a few Q that I cant find answers too....

1. How much tank space do you need to allow for a snail?
2. What is best to feed them on?
3. THere is no risk of oranda/ snail eating each other?

Thanks

 

[dizzied]

1. 2.5 gallons. Not much, really.
2. A snail breeder might give you better info, but I feed mine shrimp pellets, spirulina pellets and precooked veggies.
3. The snail is harmless, but I'm not sure about the oranda

I dunno much about goldfish, so I'm not sure how compatable these two are in terms of water conditions and such.

 

[voo]

Apple snails prefer tropical water temperatures. Don't think they do well in colder water that doesn't have a heater.

 

[lizjamie]

Well the decision has been made for me, my uncle just came round and had got me one as a friedn for my gold fish who he always thought was lonely, and as a present for passing my exams.
V nice of him but wish had made cofident decision.
Hopefully he will be ok, if it all goes horribly wrong i suppose i can take him back to the shop.....

 

[voo]

Take a read of this site:
http/www.applesnail.net/

This is taken from there:

The optimal water temperature for apple snails lays between 18 to 28°C (65-82°F).

In a tank with cold water, it's unlikely the snail will last more than 3 weeks. Taking it back when it's dead as you put it in cold water probably wont get you far in the fish shop.

Hopefully he will be ok, if it all goes horribly wrong i suppose i can take him back to the shop.....

I don't get this. Bit like saying if i put you in a freezer and you freeze to death i can always take you out and hope you live?

 

[lizjamie]

Surely the answer then is to get a heater which when set at 18 degrees is within (just) the optimal range of both a goldfish and a snail.

 

[Hysterian]

If you set the tank temperature right around 21 degrees they should be fine.

 

[lizjamie]

Thanks for the practical reply. My tank sits about 22 anyway (although might have to get a heater for the winter) and both are fine.