i just got a gold apple or mystery snail today (labled mystery at the petshop). When I brought it home I washed his shell off a little. Then i plopped him in the tank (5g FW). He has sat at the bottom of the tank, not moving, inside his shell the whole time now. Should I be worried? Also I was under the impression that this snail would't eat plants, I do have one plant (Baby Tears), should I be worried??
When I handle my snails (same kind as yours- you'll see they're fun to watch with their feelers and suchwhich.) I notice that one doesnt seem to care but the other lays on the sand for about 20 mins before he's up to moving again. Maybe yours is stressed? Id say wait til tmrw morning and if hes not moving something is up. Im assuming your water is good.
As far as eating plants, say bye to your plant. Im pretty sure they eat them, seeing as how I feed mine lettuce
The true "mystery" about mystery snails is their true identity...Pomacea Bridgesii (commonly referred to as the myster snail) will not take too much interest in your plants...They will however eat dead or decaying leaves. Another variety Pomacea Cananiculata looks almost identical to Bridgesii, however it grows about 4 times as big and will mow down your tank faster then McMillan Blodel. I have seen several tanks of "mystery snails" that are actually a mix of both... If you can post some good pics of the spire and operculum I may be able to positively identify it.
I have some Brigs and some Canas that look like that...I would have to have more detailed pics to properly identify...The differences (when young) are pretty subtle...The big give away is that a Cana will be atleast as big as a tennis ball when fully grown..Brigs about the size of a ping pong ball...
Nope don't worry, they can stay in their shells for weeks sometimes. I thinkt he Mystery is whyt hey do this, I'll bet yours comes out soon though...
I have about 60 on the way because I got 2, one was male the other was female and they laid 2 egg sacks up at the top of my tank! They screw all day long it's pretty funny.
They climb all over my plants and clean teh algea off them as best they can, they have eaten some leaves that were decaying but don't seem to eat my plants at all, if anything I think they help them.
I have noticed they have broken leaves off my Wisteria by climbing on them though. Mine like to climb up the side of the glass then basejump back down to the bottem or ono lower plants (they kinda float down). Amusing to watch I really like my snails!
justin- I concur...Snails are really very misunderstood and much more interesting then they are given credit for...I often put my brigs out on "recon" into the planted tank to take care of house cleaning...
He/she has a very "googly" spire...A little odd, but not unheard of. It makes me think Canna...If you could get a picture of the bottom -specifially the trap door I could probaly identify it.
Is that a shrimp beside him??? he may be laying low because they are scaring him
Here's the operculum pic. Sorry about my hands in the picture, it was the only decent pic i could take. Hope its in focus enough for you. One good thing, when i plopped him back in the tank he moved a little.
