Algae Eaters in Tropical Tank: Golden Apple Snail

Algae Eaters in Tropical Tank: Golden Apple Snail – On the opposite side of the size spectrum as it pertains to snails, is the Golden Apple Snail. Although they're generally sold as babies, these munchers that are algae can grow up to be the size of a baseball, so be sure you have enough tank space to adapt them.

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Algae Eaters in Tropical Tank: Golden Apple Snail

Golden Snails are easy to see, partly due to their size, but also thanks to their enormous antennas that are generally seen crossing across the aquarium floor. Their shells are typically bright yellow, but they're able to be found in some shades of purple and crimson, and brown.

Species special needs

They do well with fish food on common vegetables in combination.

Unfortunately, many species have a terrific desire for aquatic vegetation and algae aren't their favored food. In such cases these scavengers can decrease the aquatic plant life quickly. A beautiful aquarium can be ruined by them within days.

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They could be kept in a comparatively small 10 gallon tank, if apple snails are kept in an aquarium on their very own. An excellent guideline is to supply 3 gallons for each snail, due to the fact that they may be incredibly cluttered (They poop, then eat, then poop some more).

A 20 gallon aquarium is usually sufficient, as it'll permit a school of small minnows and 3-4 apple snails.

Golden apple snails are entirely peaceful, and will never bother any fish tank-mates. The same can’t though – they should absolutely never be kept with any of the larger cichlids, puffer fish or any loaches be said for fish. These fish will happily munch on snails, and the apples snail’s thick shell and big size are not any protection from a fish that is hungry. In the case of the loaches, they're content taking little bites out of any exposed portions of the apple snails any chance they get – which will eventually kill the snail with time.

Feeding

Their special favorites are blanched cucumber and zucchini medallions, shelled peas and lettuce leafs. Any uneaten food ought to be taken out of the tank after 24 hours, to prevent it from fouling the water

Golden Apple Snails will consume most sorts of algae, but you most commonly find them eating plant alga, substrate algae and aquarium glass alga. You'll generally find them on the base of the time, grazing the substrate for algae, and picking up any pieces of leftover food. Although their appetite is large, and they're willing to eat most kinds of algae, it’s still strongly suggested that you simply feed Gold Snails a broad range of aquarium safe vegetation.

Reproduction

There are a number of things to be thought about to breed apple snails:

- Apple snails reproduce when the temperature climbs in combination with abundance of food available.

- Some species might want a aestivation interval in the mud before they breed successfully (does not apply to the most common species).

The smaller ones might turn into a target for larger, predatory fish, although bigger Golden Snails are usually safe, and certainly will keep to themselves. They also have a tendency to eat live plants whenever they will have an insufficient level of plant life and algae to munch on, so make sure they are well fed. If you're able to get your hands to them all in all, the Golden Apple Snail is a superb addition to any tank. They're becoming increasingly more difficult to locate.