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4 Types of Freshwater Aquarium Snails and How to Care For Them

Freshwater aquarium snails are a popular choice for many fish tank enthusiasts, and there are several different types of freshwater aquarium snails. These creatures can add personality, color, and life to any home aquarium. While they are low maintenance in general, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to the care and upkeep of your new pet snail. In this article, we will introduce the five most popular types of freshwater aquarium snails and provide helpful tips on how to take care of them. 1. Mystery Snails (Pomacea bridgesii) The mystery snail is often considered a type of apple snail and is one of the most popular choices for freshwater aquariums. They are native to South America and got their name because they often seem to disappear, then reappear days later. Mystery snails come in a wide variety of colors, including gold, blue, ivory, and even albino. They also reproduce quickly, so it is important to keep an eye on the population in your tank or pond. Care and Maintenance: Mystery snails are relatively easy to care for and only require a few things to stay healthy and happy. They are not picky eaters and will consume algae, detritus, and uneaten fish food. They also need calcium to help with their shell growth, so be sure to provide a source of calcium in their tank, like crushed oyster shells. In terms of tank parameters, mystery snails do best in tropical conditions with a pH between 7.6 and 8.4. They are also relatively tolerant of temperature fluctuations, but it is important to avoid sudden changes in temperature or water quality. 2. Nerite Snails (Neritina natalensis) Nerite snails are another popular choice for freshwater aquariums. These small snails are native to Africa and Southeast Asia and have intricate shell patterns. Nerite snails come in a variety of colors, including black, olive green, striped, and even golden yellow. Nerite snails also reproduce rapidly, as the female nerite snail can lay up to 50 eggs at a time. However, the eggs will only hatch if they go unfertilized. So, in most cases, you will not have to worry about a population explosion if you can remove the eggs fast enough. Care and Maintenance: Nerite snails are hardy creatures that can survive in a wide range of conditions, and their diet is primarily algae-based. However, if you have a clean tank with a few decaying plants, you may need to supplement their diet with fish food or other calcium-rich foods. They can survive in a wide range of temperatures and pH levels, but it is best to keep the water temperature between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit and the pH around 7.5. Be careful when using chemicals in the tank, as Nerite Snails are sensitive to them. 3. Apple Snails (Pomacea diffusa) Apple snails are another type of freshwater...