Apple Assorted Snail

Apple snails are large freshwater snails of the genus Pomacea, and this is an assorted listing: the tank holds whatever the shipment brought in. Shell colours run from golden yellow through ivory, chestnut, jade, purple and blue. They are busy, surprisingly quick animals that climb the whole tank, often hang from the surface film, and extend a long breathing siphon to reach air without leaving the water. Because the stock is mixed, this page does not name a single species.

Aquarium care

• Large for an aquarium snail, commonly around 5 cm across the shell.
• Peaceful towards fish and other tankmates.
• A scavenger: leftover food, decaying leaves, sinking wafers and blanched vegetables.
• Plant-eating behaviour varies by species. Some apple snails leave healthy plants alone; others graze living plants heavily. An assorted listing cannot tell you which of them is in the bag.
• Buying for a planted tank? Ask our staff to identify what is in the tank on the day before you buy.
• Needs calcium in the water, or the shell erodes.
• Lays egg clutches above the waterline, so leave an air gap under the lid and remove any clutch you do not want.

A reasonable choice for a community tank if you want a large, visible scavenger, and worth a conversation with staff first if the tank is planted. Keep apple snails away from loaches and puffers, which prey on snails.

Apple snails must never be released into the wild, into a pond, or into any lake, river, ditch or storm drain. Several Pomacea species are listed as aquatic invasive species in Canada. If you no longer want the animal, bring it back to us or pass it to another keeper.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. Browse the current snails.