Apple Snails are a tropical freshwater species of aquarium snail. They are very common and available at almost all LFS. They range in color from deep blue to gold and even striped. Apple Snails are often refered to as "Blue Mystery Snails" in the pet store, with little regard or information about their species. Purchasers often do not realize they can grow very large very quickly. A 1 inch diameter shell is common size for adult Apple Snails. They are slow creatures that have a large apetite for organic matter.
Apple Snails diet often includes aquarium plants. They can become somewhat of a pest due to their large apetite. Slow growing plants can be completely consumed to never grow back. Shrimp or other scavenging species are often starved due to the lack of food available. When keeping Apple Snails it is best to keep them in an aquarium with fake or no plants. It is also not advisable to keep them with other snails or shrimp species.
Apple Snails will breed consistently if they are given water and food. Their populations often grow out of control and are difficult to eradicate. Apple Snails lay eggs just above the water line of the aquarium. Destruction of these eggs will not prevent the species from reproducing.
