Quick guide

This short and quick guide to apple snails is intented for those people who don't have the time to read the whole apple snail guide section. It's a rude all-in-one version which does not discriminate between the specific species, but as apple snails are easy animals when it comes to their needs, this small guide should help you with the basic care.


		Housing
		Aquarium with coverplate or pond. 5 - 10 cm (2 - 4 inch) Air space above the water. 10-liters/2.5 gallon for each mid-sized snail (ą5cm/2inch. diameter).
		Food
		Vegetables (lettuce, cucumber, small pieces of carrots, green beans and celery). Algea and aquarium plants. Weeds from the garden. Fish food (pellets and tablets). Frozen foods, brine shrimps, dead fish and even other snails and their eggs.
		Water
		Calcium rich water. pH: 6.5- 8, preferably above 7.
		Light
		No need for artificial illumination like TL-tubes. Shadow rich places preferred.
		Temperature
		18 - 28°C (65-82°F). Never below 18°C (65°F).
		Reproduction
		Separated sexes (gonochoristic). Reproduction peak in spring. Female can store sperm for months.
		Eggs
		Laid in clutches above the water (most species) or in the water. Several clutches / month possible. Keep humid, not wet (aerial eggs)!
		Hatching
		After 2 - 3 weeks (temperature dependend). Little snails leave the clutch and head for the water (aerial eggs).
		Young snails
		Same food as parents, although debris, algea and small food particles preferred). Protect them against large fish.

It's of course important to know if your snail is a real apple snail. Fortunately it's quite easy to recognize an apple snail due to its typical features. [click here]
There is also a quick identification guide on this site that explains how to determine the species in case of the most common apple snails sold in pet/aquarium shops. [click here]
If you have questions about certain topics related to apple snails: Take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions, which included answers as well. [click here]
Want to look something up on this site? Tip: use the index to find it. [click here]

Quick guide in Adobe Acrobat: [click here to download (22k)].
The Adobe Acrobat Reader is available on (http://www.adobe.com).


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