Live Blue Mystery Snails Care Guide | Species Profile

Blue Mystery snails are one of the most sought-after inclusions in freshwater tanks. They are slow-moving, tranquil herbivores that let you relax while they do the cleaning for you.

The majority of people purchase snails, like nerite snails, to cleanse rock and glass of algae. Whatever level of expertise, every community tank will benefit from these Gastropods.

These massive, as well as striking snails, are perfect to add color to your aquarium, however, they also serve important functions. They wash algae off of glasses, the plants, and even decorations, they consume hair algae, and they keep your substrate clean and of the correct color.

They are completely secure with any seafood, shrimp, or other plants, and are completely quiet. They can be quite massive when they are adults, reaching in size up to 2 inches in diameter!

Blue Mystery Snails’ shells are beautiful and a soothing mild blue color. The bodies of their shells are darker blue with iridescent marks that are truly breathtaking when they reflect the sun’s rays.

Blue Mystery Snails are generally more active and exhibit more playful behavior than other varieties of freshwater snails. They’re almost always scaling and soaring over the sides of an aquarium, and extending their antennae to search for food.

They’ll climb towards their water line to breathe air, which is why it’s a great idea to ensure that your water line in your aquarium isn’t excessively high.

If the Mystery Snail reaches the top of a structure or wall, it is likely to let go of the wall and glide rapidly downward until it is smashed into the substratum or plants below, generally eliciting the “Weeee!” sound from anyone who is witness to the.

They are omnivores with voracious appetites and grow in size quickly provided they are fed properly. A young Blue Mystery Snail could increase in size by just a matter of weeks to months.

Like the majority of freshwater snails, Blue Mystery Snails are extremely susceptible to the presence of copper, therefore it is recommended to keep track of your copper levels when you’re using the tap inside your tank.

In this article, we’ll talk about how to take care of these adorable snails, including their appearance, breeding eggs, compatibility with other species, and additional…

Blue Mystery Snails Facts & Overview

The snails are known by many names, one of which is its scientific title Pomacea bridgesii. As with other snails, they are part of the group Gastropoda. However, the majority of people use the name common to all snails, such as mystery snail as well as common apple snail.

There are various names for the mysterious snail species, which include; spike topped apple snail, mystery apple snail, Pomacea australis, and golden mystery snail. The exact scientific name for this species will be Pomacea bridgesii.

Since they are popular with aquarists, adhere to the following principle when buying snails to your tank. Take a moment to examine the group of snails you see in the market and select the ones that are moving or connected to the surface. Never purchase an animal with a damaged or cracked shell.

The most painful thing about purchasing snails is coming home only to realize that the stunning shell you bought is only a shell.

Wild snails live for approximately 1 year. They consume dead plants and also clean up the environment. The process allows the nutrients stored within detritus to return to the natural ecosystem.

An interesting aspect is their eyes, which aresituated on a cephalic eyestalk. There aren’t any other sensory organs in the eyestalk, therefore it is able to completely regenerate after a couple of weeks of being cut off.

A further interesting point is that there are various kinds of snail that originate from China with the scientific name Cipangopaludina Chinensis as well as Japan using the term Cipangopaludina japonica. They are regarded as invasive species in some areas.

Both Chinese, as well as Japanese snails, belong to the same family, Viviparidae. They were first introduced to California to be used in the food trade because of their size. The common apple snail is utilized as a part of this aquarium trade.

This article will concentrate upon one of the common apple snails, Pomacea bridgesii.

Typical Behaviour

They are among them that are the most peaceful creatures you can have in your tank. They are most likely to spend time grazing on the algae that grow over the aquarium glass.

If confronted with an aggressive fish, they’ll hunker down and hide in their shell. This is why keeping them around calm fish is essential. Being sure that they’re not constantly scared is a sign that they are more active and will be able to clean the tank more efficiently.

At times, you might observe the snails climb up to the very top of the tank and then let go and free-fall down to the bottom. Sometimes, they’ll let go of part of the foot and slide down the glass quickly.

Appearance

Mystery snails are available in a variety of colors. Most popular are brown or black, silver, and ivory varieties. These colors will provide an appealing look on the look of your freshwater tank.

It is possible to find some Albino Mystery Snails too. They are lighter than the other types, however, they could feature subtle patterns of brown or gold stripes.

The shells are available in solid, to be banded, with gradient color and the bright, almost the white head color as well as foot color, provide a splash of color. The patterns and colors of these snails are infinite.

They’ll grow to 2 – 3 inches in diameter, at the least. Their small size permits them to fit into tanks of all sizes, both small and large.

When we think of snails, they imagine their spiral whorl starting at the apex (the top) andspiraling downwards until opening aperture, which is the opening.

The same is true for snails, however, their apex is located on the right of the aperture. As adults, they are only approximately 4 whorls, all of which are quite small.

Another component in their body is the operculum, which refers to the plate used to seal the opening in the shell.

Their operculum appears like a large nail once the snail has been closed. This is a great way to check whether your snail is healthy and alive. Its operculum can fall off when the organism ceases to exist and won’t properly close if there is a problem within the snail.

A very significant element that makes up their bodies is their head. The head is a large, slender tentacle that is used to detect their surroundings and locate food sources. In the middle of these long tentacles are their eyes, which detect light and motion.

Both help in locating food sources and make the snail aware of predators. When a threat is seen, the snail is likely to tuck in the shell and shut its operculum to ensure they’re secure.

Below that is their mouth as well as the second pair of tentacles to feed. They also have a siphon on the left of the head, which is used to drain water from their gills.

Habitat and Tank Conditions

This species is present within Paraguay, Brazil in Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia, however, they are now spreadingto become invasive speciesto other areas of the globe.This Chinese speciesis particularly an issue particularly in northern regions in North America.

In the wild, they live within ponds, rivers, and swamps where they can eat dead or decomposing plants. They feed on live plants, but only if there is no other source available. They spend the majority of their lives grazing on the bottom of the earth.

One thing that they need to be on the lookout for is any kind of fish or animal that could damage their hard shell. It could be any big bird or fish that might exist lurking in the waters.

Tank Conditions

To ensure that these snails stay at their home, ensure you keep your tank filled with vegetation. It not only looks attractive but also provides plenty of food sources. The most common plants to include are Java Fern, Java Moss, and Hornwort All of them are extremely hardy.

The snails are known to swim away from the water, particularly when food levels are scarce. Make sure you have a tight-fitting lid to ensure that all snails remain in the aquarium.

These can be hardy by nature, but they try to stay clear of extreme changes in water conditions. They are well-suited for moderately moving, extremely oxygenated water.

Another reason is the fact that they are commonly used in tanks of tropical communities. The oxygen levels are high. attained by vegetation which is an essential characteristic of numerous tropical communities.

For the water quality, the numbers are simple:

• pH level range: 7.6-8.4
• Temperature range The temperature range is 68degF-84degF.
• Type of water: kH 12-18

It is important to note in this case the high pH. A low pH could begin in the process ofdisintegrating the carbonate calcium shellsof snails, leaving them vulnerable to damage by other fish. The cracks, slim, and pitted shells may be an indication of low pH and also lower levels of calcium.

The addition of calcium supplements can help ensure the strength of their shells and keep them healthy.

Hard substrates such as stones, gravel, or sand make it easier to move snails, but they don’t need a particular kind of. Each substrate has a distinct benefit to your tank, therefore, make your selection based on the rest of your tank’s requirements.

What Size Aquarium Do They Need?

Blue Mystery Snails will do great in virtually all tanks. Since they perform so well in community tanks, it is ideal to place them in a community that has tanks of either a 5 or 10-gallon tank. They are also a great fit when used in bigger tanks.

How Many Blue Mystery Snails Per Gallon?

It is possible to keep 1 or 2 snails for every 5 gallons. They will have enough room to move about and eat what they want.

Tank Mates

They have no interaction with the other fishes in the tank unless they are consumed. Another reason why peaceful fish are essential.

Fish such as Tetras, Guppies, and killifish allow snails to focus on their own activities and then eat away.

Another great tank companion for them is another kind from peaceful invertebrates. Amano shrimp, cherry shrimp, and ghost shrimp are excellent companions and are not harmful to the shrimp in any way.

If you’re trying for ways to maintain the Gastropod theme alive, then think about Ramshorn Snails, Ivory Snails, and Nerite Snails.

When you are putting them into tanks it is crucial to consider what fish or other invertebrates might be able to devour them. Oscars, Cichlids, crabs, along with other aggressive species of fish, should be avoided due to this reason.

There are many people who are concerned about the possibility of keeping Blue Mystery Snails with a Betta, however, this shouldn’t be a problem if they’re all getting enough food. They’ll live in peace with your Betta and will even tidy up when they leave.

The same is true for the majority of types of snails. They can make excellent tank companions if you’re concerned Betta is lonely.

Keeping Blue Mystery Snails Together

They will live together without difficulty. They may even live happily together with the different freshwater snails and other invertebrates as they all are given enough room to live and develop.

The only thing you need to be aware of is the number of fish you own per gallon. A rule that states 1 fish to 5 gallons applies to snails as well. It’s an effective guideline to avoid overcrowding your tank.

Overcrowding poses a threatwith regard to your tank as well as the overall health of your snails. Overcrowding can result in various health issues, from damaged shells to a lack of food or developmental defects.

Diet

When in the wild, snails consume dying or rotting plants. They also eat algae that have accumulated on any surface like sand or rocks. They are optimistic scavengers by nature, that is why they take in a wide variety of foods.

Due to this, it is important to maintain the medium to high levels of vegetation, providing them with an organic food source. The plants shed their leaves naturally when they grow, and this provides your snails with the perfect food in addition to the growing algae.

They’ll get into the glass and eat algae they grow off it. This is among the primary reasons people purchase these tiny cleaners. Keeping the glass in good condition for a longer time means less work for you.

If you haven’t washed the glass manually, it’s likely you’ll be able to observe what is known as the “tracks” of the snails when they move about and move about. They possesswhat’s called the radula is used to scrape glass and eliminate algae, leaving behind a “tire tread” pattern in their wake.

An excellent thing to observe is that it shows you there are a lot of people working to make sure you keep your tank free of filth.

While snails are likely to be able to live on algae or plant materials, supplementing them with supplements can ensure their health by providing them with the minerals they require. Tablets for bottom feeders, flakes, or pellets can all enhance their diets.

It is also believed that herbivores are fond of vegetables. Leafy greens like lettuce or other vegetables such as zucchini provided that they are cleaned and gently blanched.

Make sure to not overfeed or put food items inside your tank over a long period of time. This can affect the water’s quality and cause health issues for your family members.

Care

As mentioned above, making sure that your snails are healthy, intact shells is extremely crucial. Keeping the pH elevated and feeding them calcium supplements can help avoid this issue.

The most well-known parasite that is most commonly encountered is Angiostrongylus cantonensis which is also known asRat Lungworm. You’ve probably guessed that the adult form of this parasite can be found in rodents, however, the larvae utilize snails as their host until they grow into adulthood.

This happens generally in the wild, as these two species do not likely interact with each other in an aquarium trade, which means there is no need to think about it too much.

Grub Worms have been observed in aquariums in which wild-caught snails were utilized. They are small, white cysts on the foot of the snail. If ruptured, flukes (parasites) are released into the water column. This poses a risk to fish because the flukes are able to engorge their flesh, and they can only be eliminated physically. Grub Worms will stay inside the host fish until the host dies.

The best part about the situation is Grub Worms are not able to reproduce within your tank.

Most issues stemfrom their skins. This is among the most crucial things to consider for health.

You can repair snail shells however, this is a procedure that is done by hand, and is extremely risky. Most methods require that you take the snail from the tank and apply a type that is aquarium safe epoxy.

Breeding

Blue Mystery Snails are gonochoristicmeaning that both the male and female have to be present during reproduction.

If you want to increase the number of snails you have without spending money to purchase the snails, the process of breeding is simple.

Male and female can be able to mate without assistance or alteration of tank conditions.

When she is almost ready to lay eggs, she will lay eggs on or near the water’s surface. The eggs will be left in the form of a cocoon making it easy to locate and then remove in the event that you don’t desire baby chicks.

The eggs can be colored yellow, pink, or white.

One clutch of eggs could result in 20-40 adult healthy individuals, but they can also produce several clutches within the tank, which could result in several more.

Females are able to lay eggs each week for up to five months.

Many aquarists decide to transfer the fish to their personal tank after they’ve hatched to allow for the massive growth in numbers, and also to keep them from getting consumed by other fish when they get bigger.

If you try to hatch more eggs than you can handle could overflow your tank and affect your nitrogen cycle, therefore, only keep the eggs you can handle. The majority of eggs are taken away or hatched and sold quickly online or to family members/friends.

If they place eggs over the water the air around the cocoon should be sufficiently moist and eggs must hatch within one month.

Baby snails will fall into the base in the tank and start living their lives, taking the exact diet like their parents.

If you would like your snails breeding, lower the level of the water by a few inches to allow snails to lay eggs. Make sure you have plenty of food available as they are known to spawn only when they have enough food for the next generation.

Can Blue Mystery Snails Suitable for Your Aquarium?

When you think about blue mystery snails to add to your tank, consider the species you already have inside your aquarium. If your tank is packed with vegetation and is home to a group of calm invertebrates and fish, the snails are perfect for you.

This snail species is easy to maintain because you don’t have to do anything to keep them healthy. They have a few specific needs and do not need to be fed in separate ways.

One of their most appealing attributes is giving assistance in cleansing your tank of plant debris and algae out of the glass. This makes cleaning by hand easier to do less often.

It is clear that these snails are ideal for novices and experts alike. It’s really hard to find the wrong choice with these snails. That’s why they’ve been among the top well-known freshwater snails to keep for aquarium use. A quick glance around any fish shop will reveal the amount of them available.

Do you have blue mystery snails that are kept in aquariums at your own home, or perhaps observe them in local fish stores? We’d love to hear about your experiences, so tell us in the comment section below.

Featured Image: John Turnbull/Flickr