Colony of one

[Tattoo]

Some of you may remember I had two batches of snail eggs and am attempting to start a colony to feed Tattoo. Today I found ONE baby snail in my aquarium. Don't know if it's the only hatchling or if there are more to come. I attempted a picture but it is so small it was difficult. I have moved this loner to a seperate home because I am afraid my Plecos would eat it. Leigh ... I'm still waiting for your warning about tank overrun to bloom. Looks like it gonna be a slow take over! Here is the baby...


Here is a picture of the boy. He was up and around this weekend for a walk. Today he woke up and ate the teaspoon of food I offered like a starving convict. Now he is basking up a storm. I may be partial but I think he's brilliant!

[jasjmm27]

Looks great! I think he was checking up on you and making sure you were properly preparing his food for when he really wakes up! This pic makes it look like he has a super-fast tongue like a snake! hehehe

[Blotch]

I love how sometimes blueys eyes look cockeyed

[Tattoo]

I do struggle with the tongue pictures. I need to remember to take them when he's eating and not when he's exploring. His tongue slows down when his mouth is full. I think he was up today because we warmed up above 30 degrees F and he could tell.

[mewzic-7123]

nice photos! hopefully more snails will come

[Payday1897]

Thats exciting. I just recently bought a ten gallon tank and 4 apple snails. I also have 3 penguin tetra and 2 fancy guppies, because a tank with 4 snails in it looked really silly. I bought it a month ago but there have not been any eggs. I'm starting to wonder if they are all same sex, or if my temp is too cool. How long did you have the colony before they laid eggs?

[Tattoo]

I have about 12 snails and found the secret was to drop the water line in the aquarium at least 3 inches so they had room to lay their eggs. When I lowered the water I had eggs in 2 or 3 days. I think the temp needs to remain constantly above 65 for them to hatch. It's about 70-75 in my house. Check this site for good info:
http://www.applesnail.net

[aggiegirl]

My snails are huge and I don't have the water level down quite that much--two inches at best. Maybe that is what I'm doing wrong. I've also heard that more eggs should be expected Spring and Summer.
I have never heard of them having one baby though. Maybe he came with new fish, etc? Either way, he is cute and you have more baby snails than me! Good luck in the future! Feel free to share any secrets of success! That are neat critters even if they aren't a good source of feeders. Love watching them eat and cruise along. Of course, I am easily amused!

[Tattoo]

Aggie ... no new fish in my tank. The egg clutch seems to be in the process of hatching but so far I have spied only one baby. I guess if there were others the plecos could have eaten them. Maybe there are others and I just have not seen them yet. I am keeping my eyes open! As far as secrets go ... Honey I'm just winging it.

[Payday1897]

Well the water level has consistently been around 4 inches off the top, but I live in Michigan and the tank is in my basement so I'd say the temp is somewhere between 60-68. Also I had a bunch of the nuisance tiny snails in there for fun too and they've laid like a million eggs in my live plant. as a matter of fact I saw a tiny snail in their today that was the size of a pin head.
I just hope they lay some eggs soon.

[NomadOfTheHills]

What is your calcium, alkalinity, and pH? This will affect snail survival.

[shingleback aus]

good to hear hopefully there will be hundreds the next time you check on them

[Leigh]

Apples can be unpredictable, Tam the snails that produce like the clappers are the little sort, no bigger than 5-8mm long,they lay eggsacks every where ,under water,on each other,you name it. I'll get a pic for you in the next couple of days. Blue seems to scurry back under cover if he thinks he's been spotted or if i go to get him out,he pops up once a weekish he'll take a drink from my finger then submerge again if he can.

[Tattoo]

Well Leigh I guess there is some comfort in knowing there will not be a hostile take over in the aquarium.

[Tattoo]

The colony doubled in size today!!!

I found another baby while cleaning the tank. Glad my little tiny bundle now has a buddy.

[Fatal_S]

So if they keep doubling every 4 days...

Day - Snails
20 - 4
24 - 8
28 - 16
1 - 32
5 - 64
9 - 128
13 - 256
17 - 512

And soon you're overrun!!!

[Tattoo]

[Leigh]

So if they keep doubling every 4 days...

Day - Snails
20 - 4
24 - 8
28 - 16
1 - 32
5 - 64
9 - 128
13 - 256
17 - 512

And soon you're overrun!!!

No mate,they are there to be harvested

[Zach]

[Tattoo]

Boys ... always straight for the death and destruction.