Apple Snail

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Pomacea bridgesii - (Reeve, 1856)

Apple Snail

Overview

This is the most popular and common species of Apple Snail in the aquarium trade and it makes a hardy and interesting addition to large fishbowls and aquariums without aggressive fish species that target snails, such as puffers and large loaches.

Shell colors range from brown or golden yellow to ivory, pink, blue, and jade. The flesh is usually white or pale yellow with orange spots, this may vary.

Although large, this is one species of Apple Snail that will generally ignore healthy aquarium plants.

Sometimes called the "Infusoria Snail," as it can also be used in cultures of Infusoria used to feed tiny fish fry. (The snails eat lettuce or flake foods and their wastes serve to promote the growth of microscopic protozoans that can be eaten by just-hatched fishes.)

Feeding

Will eat most plant matter, graze on algae, and scavenge uneaten fish foods and wastes from the bottom of the tank. Algae pellets, spinach, lettuce, and shelled peas are all eaten with relish.

Aquarium Compatibility

Unlike other Apple Snails, Pomacea bridgesii prefers dying, dead, rotting plant material and fish foods to live healthy plants.

Special Care

As with most invertebrates, Apple Snails are very sensitive to most aquarium medications and must be removed if a tank is going to be treated for disease.

Keep water neutral: pH 7.0 - 8.0. (At low pH, the shell will dissolve.)

Keep tank covered; these snails will climb up and out.

Breeding/Propagation

When kept in pairs, egg masses may appear in clutches above the water line. These must be kept in a warm, moist environment and will die of allowed to dry out. Hatching time is 2-3 weeks. Fish will eat the baby snails if they are not hatched in a separate nursery tank.

Notes

Excellent reference: [Apple Snails Site]

Text credit: JL