Snail Breeding

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by Flaring Afro, Nov 9, 2010.

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  1. Flaring Afro

    Flaring Afro Purple Spiny Lobster

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2010
    Messages:
    487
    Location:
    VA
    I'm considering building a sump over winter break (and hopefully upgrading to a 40 breeder ;D). I want it to be a refugium, but also breed snails in it for my puffer. I'm not really sure what snails I should or could breed though. From what I've read, the more common ones either just don't try or their eggs won't hatch the tank's temperature or salinity. Anyone have any thoughts?

    I'm hoping I can do this because when my puffer was in freshwater, we used to put snails in the tank at night and it gave him something to do throughout the day. Now we have to just feed him the freshwater snails at feeding time when he is looking or the snails would just die. Kind of boring for him and not as fun to watch. :(
     
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  3. SushiGirl

    SushiGirl Barracuda

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2010
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    2,457
    ipsf.com has snails they call Strombus grazers (apparently they're not really Strombus snails, but no matter), and they'll breed like crazy. However, they're small. They might work for your green-spotted though. Biggest problem is, you can't just order them without ordering other stuff.

    If you don't want to order other stuff, you could probably just ask around & see if anyone has some they can spare. Premium Aquatics lists them for sale, but it also says they're out. I want some myself when I'm ready for my CUC in a few weeks, so if you find some let me know where LOL.

    Here's one of them hanging by a thread to get from the rock to the sand.
    View attachment 34498

    Laying eggs
    View attachment 34499

    Babies almost ready to leave the protective sac.
    View attachment 34500
     
    Last edited: May 2, 2012
  4. Flaring Afro

    Flaring Afro Purple Spiny Lobster

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2010
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    487
    Location:
    VA
    Thanks for the suggestion. I might end up going with them. I think .5" would be big enough for him. It's best to find one about the size of his mouth or a little bit smaller and he only will get 6".
     
  5. SushiGirl

    SushiGirl Barracuda

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    Let me know if you find some LOL.
     
  6. rogersjw

    rogersjw Skunk Shrimp

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2010
    Messages:
    276
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Not sure how often it is done or whatever... but here's something for you.

    A couple months ago I decided to convert my 5 Gallon nano tank into saltwater. Upon investigation, i found I could gently convert my guppy into saltwater over a few weeks of small water changes. Anyways, I decided to try it... with success! Funny thing is, I didn't count on the snails making the transition, but they made it just fine. Not sure what type of snail it is... just the common freshwater ones.

    Anyways, There are a crapton of them now so it appearsss that they have procreated. I guess they may have been there since before the change but maybe not. Anyways, just thought you may want to do a little more research to see if its possible. I didnt expect them to be able to make the change to saltwater, but they are there and the sg is 1.021 currently. :)