Mystery snail (pomacea bridgesi) | Facts & Information

In the fresh waters of tropical areas originates Ampullariidae, an aquarium snail that, due to its appearance especially beautiful exterior and its size, is increasingly sought after by aquaristics enthusiasts. This snail is not peculiar to a particular type of aquarium, it grows very easily in swamps, lakes or flowing waters. That is why it is very easy to maintain.

It has a double breathing system, and also has lungs, which makes it able to live even in waters with a lower oxygen content. Another curiosity related to this aquarium snail is that that shell that it carries in the back has a door that closes. in this way, when there is drought, they dig shelter in the ground and close the door. It does this to protect itself against drying and against pests.

The peculiarity of this snail is the thin tube through which it breathes underwater.

Feeding Pomacea Bridges yellow

For food, the snail pomacea bridgesii does not consume live plants in the aquarium. Of course, there are exceptions, but in this case you have to find the cause elsewhere. You should know that snails eat almost anything they can put in their mouths: algae, lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, and even dead fish.

Be careful not to feed them too much because that would mean increased levels of ammonia (NH3), nitrites (NO2) and nitrates (No3). Increasing these levels leads to water degradation, poisoning of snails and fish, and ultimately the death of aquarium creatures. You should also know that at lower temperatures, the metabolism of snails is slowed down, requiring smaller amounts of food, the reciprocal is valid.

Food is generally composed of anything they can put in their mouths and break – from algae, growing plants and fish food, to which they can have access, to vegetables (lettuce leaves, carrots, cucumbers, etc.) and fish or other dead creatures. However, although it consumes algae, it is not considered a good algae cleaner, such as neritina snails.

Features Pomacea Bridges yellow

It is an aquatic snail, large in size, has a yellow body with small darker spots around the mouth (there is also a variant of a dark body with yellow spots). The shell measures about 40-50 mm in diameter and 45-65 mm high, having 5-6 spirals. The color of the Shell may be white (ivory) to dark brown, or with stripes along the length of the shell. However, the most widespread variety in aquariums is the snail which has both the body and the yellow shell.

Depending on the physical appearance and positioning of the shell, you can tell the type of Pomacea you have in the aquarium: unlike caniculata or padulosa, bridges have an angle of 90 degrees at the joint of the convolutions of the Shell and is less globular and flat at their upper surface. If it feels in danger or if the environment does not offer it good conditions, the snail can completely close the shell with the help of the door (horny operculum), whose color can be light brown or dark.

Pomacea snail adapts easily in oxygen-poor waters (due to its habitat consisting of swamps) which is why it can take its oxygen directly from the air, with the help of a siphon drawn above the water. The best water for this snail is the one rich in calcium (soft water is contraindicated), which will help it create and maintain a strong shell.

This species of aquarium snail is very sensitive to copper in the water, the lethal substance for this snail. The supported temperature varies between 18-28 grC. Also called the apple snail or mystery snail (n.r: apple, mystery snail), it has an active behavior, it is always looking for food, both in the substrate and on the walls of the aquarium, very few cases in which it is observed to stay. If it is not active for long periods, it is necessary to change the water or the aquarium because the immobility of the Pomacea snail is caused by adverse factors in the environment in which it lives. and because he has the ability to breathe atmospheric air, he does not refuse, from time to time, a fresh breath of air.

The sea snail requires very good water (like fish), changed often. It can be said that usually a medium-sized snail needs 10 liters of water, at an average temperature of 20-26 degrees. It is Important that the water is not too soft, otherwise the Shell will drill. To compensate for the low calcium content of the water, you can add to the aquarium powder of sea shells, marble or lime stone.

In terms of aquarium design, I advise you not to place sharp or hard stones as they pose a risk of injury to the snail. I recommend you to cover the aquarium because the snail, very easily climbs and can get out in a blink. Just leave a vent to oxygenate the water.

Reproduction Pomacea Bridgesi yellow

Apple snails are not hermaphrodite species, therefore, for reproduction requires at least a couple of mature individuals. Recognizing the Sexes is difficult for an inexperienced eye and requires, first of all, observation of the reproductive organ of the male, located inside the shell. Another sign of recognition is that dark spot on the tip of the spiral of the shell, the spot that indicates the presence of the ovaries, so that said snail is female. The easiest way to ensure the breeding of Pomacea snails is to place as many snails as possible in the aquarium. There will definitely be found both female and male individuals.

The triggers of mating periods are high temperatures and abundant food. mating begins by climbing the male on the female's shell and using the reproductive organ for copulation, which lasts between an hour and a full day. during this period, the pair will remain in the same position. The male will not leave the female, even if the latter continues its search for food and/or feeding. The female will keep the active semen of the male in the genital tract for several months, which will allow her to lay eggs even without a consort.

Pomacea species do not cross. Egg laying is done in the aquarium, most of the time inside the aquarium lid, in the form of a bag of pink eggs. It is necessary to stay in places where there is moisture, but not to be submerged, so as not to drown the larvae. After a short period, the shell becomes hard and, within 2-4 weeks of laying, depending on the temperature, the small snails will hatch. Their main food consists of algae, gradually adopting the same diet as their parents. Snails reach, in an interval of 2-4 weeks to 2 cm and, after a year, reach maturity.