my apple snails finally had eggs!!!!!! (What do I do now?)

[aggiegirl]

I had almost given up on my apple snails, so you can imagine my shock when I walked into the kitchen (pre-coffee) and saw a wad of pink stuff above the waterline! (Ironically, yesterday I was threatening to feed them off to my blueys!) The clutch (1"x2") of pretty pink/salmon colored eggs is much larger than I expected. They are almost an inch above the waterline.
If you have any experience breeding snails, please help me make sure I'm set up for babies! The tank has a lid and stays relatively humid. I don't think I need to do anything else to keep them moist, do I? I took all the fish (zebra danios and a dwarf platy) excl. my baby pleco (who I'll find later) and transferred them into another tank. I am planning on leaving the eggs in the current tank b/c this tank has plenty of algae and I'm concerned I might damage them. Applesnail.net made it sound like my adult snails (apples and spixies) shouldn't bother the babes if they are well fed. (I'm assuming their diet of algae wafers, fish food, and fresh veggies constitutes "well fed.") I had live plants in the tank (until my adult apples trashed them) and I'm wondering if I should buy more for the babies to hide in/eat. I routinely vacuum the gravel when I do tank changes. Should I discontinue doing this? (I marked the water levels with a crayon so I won't change that when I do tank maintenance.)
Is there anything else I need to do? My blueys and I appreciate any advice you can give us!

[evil pixie]

Does this help?
http://bluetongueskinks.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10575

[MartinsPerson]

I don't know much about the care of the babies, but congrats!!

[Tattoo]

Congrats on your clutch. If you continue to vacuum check the water for little ones before you let it go down the drain. Leaving them in an established tank is a good plan. I would not get them new plants they will just trash them. Sounds like your plans are right on the money. Now you just gotta wait.

[shingleback aus]

congrats!!

[rachel]

i know this is a random question-but do they have yellow shells? 'cause my fishtank is full of them! Can i feed them too Jak and Garry then?

As for care if they're similiar too mine, they'll love zucchini-just tie it too a rock and drop it in, it won't take them long to find it! Other than feeding they don't need much and yes applesnail.com is right your adults won't bother the babies at all.

[aggiegirl]

Rachel-My apple snails are the gold ones. These are occasionally sold as "mystery snails" in petstores (at least here in TX.) "Mystery snails" are called that b/c they aren't sure of the exact classification. They come in gold, ivory, and black. The true apple snails have pink mouth parts and amazingly vivid salmon/pink eggs. Our clutch is actually brighter pink this evening! Check out applesnails.net for amazing pictures and info. They can tell you way more than me!
Pixie-Thanks so much for that link. I tried terrestrial snails earlier but gave up. I may try again with Lisa's set up. Can't believe I missed that jewel. Lisa is so great!!! (And I'm not just saying that b/c she is Jubby's mom.) I got eggs last time but no babies. How can that be possible when they are hermaphrodites (unlike apples) and I had a whole bunch of them? I took snails in from the cold and each of them produced eggs---none of which were viable. Fortunately for me, blueys like snail caviar---even when it squirts out of the parent snail!
Tattoo-Good thinking. I did vacuum today but I'm going to minimize it until the babies are pretty big. Those darned snails just poop so much---I may have to "poopy scoop" with my fish net. And, truthfully, I have too many large apples for my 2 ten gallons. Might have to search craigslist for a new tank (for the adults) if my babies hatch. I hope the babies are as pink as they appear on the snail site. That way I won't lose them as easily in my tank....Unfortunately, if they are that cute, I may have several hundred new pets!

[mom22wins]

Hey Kathy, if you found a way to ship them to Maryland, I'd be happy to take some off your hands this spring!

With my luck, I'll get a look at them and end up keeping them as pets!

[Bird_Brain]

Congrats on the snail eggs! I wish I could find some large land snails up here in Indiana. I hate fish tanks (love to watch/look at them, hate cleaning them, water changes, etc), so I dont even bother with apple snails. If i find a sale on them, then I buy some and put them in a container of water for a couple days and then just feed them off.

[aggiegirl]

Rachel- Yes, about the zucchini! Have you tried cucumbers? My guys go ape over those! I feed them collards, carrots, etc. I guess I keep forgetting they are feeders. (I never got attached to other terrestrial snails.) We have a Finding Nemo veggie clip for their veggies. It looks cute and works great for holding veggies that would otherwise float around the tank.
I got my apples from a lady whose daughter sold them before they became "illegal" to sell. Evidentally they are a dangerous non-native species. If you've had them in a tank with live plants, you would understand this concern.

[aggiegirl]

I don't think I'll get in trouble for shipping the roaches (which you think should be a felony) but I think it is illegal to send the snails. Now Mom, if you would like to come visit me one day, I could definitely send you some "feeder" goody bags. You are probably right though. My kids are going to freak when they realize their babies are going to the blueys. They even fret when I feed out the roaches---and these snails are way cuter!

[mom22wins]

Yeah, I'd love to come visit. I'll just use the snails as an excuse!

[rachel]

Aggiegirl-thanks, that's what they were sold to me as! my golden mystery snails!! No I haven't tried cucumber-I will! That's exactly why the snails haven't been bluey dinner yet-they're just so darned cute! AND everytime i harden myself and take some out-i end up with my little brother 'rescuing' them before they can be eaten!!

[Leigh]

Try feeding peas(take the shell off) they sink and will be enjoyed,I weigh down a cabbage leaf with the lead strip you can get for tank plants,on a lenght of string.

[aggiegirl]

Rachel---I'm glad you have them. They are amazing to watch. Their long tentacles and gliding movements are mesmorizing (but I am easily amused. ) Have you tried the applesnail link? I think a warming of the temps and dropping of the waterline helped my guys to lay the eggs. I found a second clutch this morning!!!!!!! Good luck and report back!
Leigh---I haven't tried peas! My decorative Nemo veggie clip matches the egg clutches so I will have to stick with it!

[rachel]

Aggiegirl- Haha! Dont worry, so am I! They are SO cool too watch and very cute! Yes I have tried the link-it's great! Thanks for finding it
Congrats on your second clutch!! Mine dont seem to have a problem breeding- i am overrun!! And my blueys can't eat them fast enough