APPLE SNAIL (Pomacea bridgesii) CARE GUIDE Overview Feature Detail Common Names Apple Snail, Mystery Snail Scientific Name Pomacea bridgesii Size 1.5–2.5 inches (shell diameter) Lifespan 1–2 years (up to 3 with excellent care) Origin South America (Amazon Basin) Behavior Peaceful, active grazer, algae cleaner Colors Gold, blue, purple, ivory, jade, wild-type, magenta Aquarium Requirements ✅ Tank Size Minimum: 5 gallons per snail Ideal: 10–20 gallons for multiple snails and stable conditions ✅ Water Parameters Parameter Range Temperature 72–82°F (22–28°C) pH 7.2–8.2 GH (Hardness) 150–300 ppm (medium-high) Ammonia/Nitrite 0 ppm Nitrate < 40 ppm pH and calcium are key to strong shell development. Diet & Feeding Apple snails are omnivorous scavengers and algae grazers. They need extra food, especially in clean tanks with little algae. ✅ What to Feed: Vegetables (blanched): Zucchini, kale, spinach, cucumber, green beans, carrots Algae Wafers: Hikari, Omega One, Fluval Bug Bites bottom feeder wafers Repashy Gel Foods: “Soilent Green”, “Super Green”, or homemade Snello Calcium Sources: Cuttlebone, crushed coral, boiled eggshells Feed small amounts every 1–2 days. Remove leftovers after 24 hours. Water Maintenance Change 25–40% water weekly Use a sponge pre-filter to prevent injury or death Avoid copper-based medications — they are toxic to snails Breeding Apple snails are gonochoristic (need male and female to breed) Female lays pinkish egg clutches above the waterline Eggs hatch in 2–3 weeks in humid, warm air Remove egg clutches if you don’t want babies — they will not overpopulate unless allowed to breed Compatible Tank Mates ✅ Compatible ❌ Avoid Guppies, mollies, endlers Loaches (e.g., clown, yo-yo) Peaceful tetras, rasboras Pufferfish Corydoras, shrimp Cichlids (aggressive species) Nerite or ramshorn snails Goldfish (may nip shells) ⚠️ Shell Health & Common Problems Problem Cause Solution Shell erosion Low pH or low calcium Add calcium, raise pH to >7.2 Floating Gas buildup (normal short-term) Fast for 24 hours, reduce protein Cracked shell Falls or low calcium Remove hazards, boost diet/supplement ✅ Quick Care Summary Requirement Recommendation Tank Size 5 gallons per snail Temperature 72–82°F pH & Hardness 7.2–8.2 pH, moderate to high GH Food Veggies, algae wafers, calcium Lifespan 1–2 years (up to 3 possible) Tank Mates Only peaceful community fish Special Needs High calcium, clean water, no copper