Post by Browneyes on Jul 28, 2005 9:54:04 GMT -5
Common name: Apple / Mystery snails , Brigs
size: The size of the shell varies from 40-50 mm wide and 45-65 mm high
tank: 2.5 gallons per snail
strata: Bottom, middle, top
pH: 7.6 to 8.4 Optimum Ph 7.8
Hardness: dH range: 7 to 9 Optimum dGH 8
temperature: 70ºF to 86ºF (21-30°C) Optimum 76ºF (24°C)
Average life span: 2-3yrs.
Distribution:
South America: Amazon River basin, from Peru, Ecuador and Colombia to the mouth of Amazon River.
Operculum: The operculum is moderately thick and corneous. The structure is concentric with the nucleus near the center of the shell. The color of the operculum varies from light to dark brown. The operculum can be retracted in the aperture (shell opening).
Shell: The shell of this apple snails species has about 5 to 6 whorls. The most obvious characteristic of the shell are the square shoulders (flat at the top of the whorls) and almost 90° sutures. The shell opening (aperture) is large and oval, the umbilicus is large and deep.
Bridgesii generally mature at approximately 2 ½ inches in diameter and are characterized by a breathing siphon, 2 sets of tentacles (1 located by the mouth and one near the eyes) and an operculum (trapdoor). They have both a lung and a gill. When the oxygen level in the water drops, you will see them go up to the water surface to inhale fresh air through their siphon.
Colors: some colors include---wild brown, gold, pink, albino, red, chestnut, blue, jade and even shades of purple and burgundy with or without stripes.
Clutches(Eggs): Pale pink to reddish eggs are deposited above the waterline and are closely attached to each other. Their size varies from 2.20 to 3.5 mm (0.5 to 0.9 inch) diameter. An average egg-clutch contains 200 to 600 eggs.
Link and downloads that predicts possible offspring colors given the color of two parent snails and any known recessive traits the parents carry.
NOTE: You can control the snail population by removing the eggs since they will be in clutches above the water line.
Tank Set-up: There aren’t any special requirements for the Apple snail as to whether they need plants or gravel etc., but it is always fun to watch the snails climb, hang and glide through the plant foliage or float upon the air bubbles created by air stones.
Warning!! It is important NOT to include any ornament or gravel that might cut or scratch them!
Tanks must also be completely covered as these snails can and will climb out of them and eventually die if not found in time. It is a common practice to use duck tape or aluminum foil to cover any holes in the hood.
Tank Mates: Any non-aggressive, non-snail eating fish that have the same water requirements as the Brigs should be compatible. I would not mix snails with: Angel Fish, Gold Fish, Swordtails, Puffers and most loaches. Even some Betta’s do not take kindly to snails.
Food: Fish flake and tablets to feed bottom feeders are eaten by the Apple Snail. Vegetables and fruits high in calcium promotes a healthy shell.
Water Additives to promote a Healthy Shell: Kent Marine Concentrated Iodine, Kent Marine Concentrated Calcium, Repti-Cal Calcium Powder for reptiles (¼ teaspoon per 10 gallons), Crushed Egg Shells, Cuttlebone (crushed or whole), Crushed Coral, Aragamax sand, Carabsea Bahama Reef Sand........these are just a few items that aid in a healthy shell for our Apple Snails.
Brigs are well suited for the planted aquariums. They will clean up dead plant foliage, but won’t eat your healthy plants, unless there is no other food offered. They’ll also clean up left over fish food that the fish haven’t eaten. As young hatchlings, they do eat algae, but as they grow older, they prefer solid food, occasionally eating algae. They are great in fry tanks as they naturally produce Infusoria for the baby fishes first food..........
Special Note: Most Fish Stores sell Apple/Mystery Snails. This does not mean that they are of the P.Bridgessii species. Pomacea canaliculata (Cana's) are also sold as Apple/Mystery Snails.
One of the most important differences between the Cana and Brigs is that Brigs are suitable for planted aquariums, Cana's are not! Brigs will grow to golf ball size, Cana's will grow to tennis ball size......
size: The size of the shell varies from 40-50 mm wide and 45-65 mm high
tank: 2.5 gallons per snail
strata: Bottom, middle, top
pH: 7.6 to 8.4 Optimum Ph 7.8
Hardness: dH range: 7 to 9 Optimum dGH 8
temperature: 70ºF to 86ºF (21-30°C) Optimum 76ºF (24°C)
Average life span: 2-3yrs.
Distribution:
South America: Amazon River basin, from Peru, Ecuador and Colombia to the mouth of Amazon River.
Operculum: The operculum is moderately thick and corneous. The structure is concentric with the nucleus near the center of the shell. The color of the operculum varies from light to dark brown. The operculum can be retracted in the aperture (shell opening).
Shell: The shell of this apple snails species has about 5 to 6 whorls. The most obvious characteristic of the shell are the square shoulders (flat at the top of the whorls) and almost 90° sutures. The shell opening (aperture) is large and oval, the umbilicus is large and deep.
Bridgesii generally mature at approximately 2 ½ inches in diameter and are characterized by a breathing siphon, 2 sets of tentacles (1 located by the mouth and one near the eyes) and an operculum (trapdoor). They have both a lung and a gill. When the oxygen level in the water drops, you will see them go up to the water surface to inhale fresh air through their siphon.
Colors: some colors include---wild brown, gold, pink, albino, red, chestnut, blue, jade and even shades of purple and burgundy with or without stripes.
Clutches(Eggs): Pale pink to reddish eggs are deposited above the waterline and are closely attached to each other. Their size varies from 2.20 to 3.5 mm (0.5 to 0.9 inch) diameter. An average egg-clutch contains 200 to 600 eggs.
Link and downloads that predicts possible offspring colors given the color of two parent snails and any known recessive traits the parents carry.
NOTE: You can control the snail population by removing the eggs since they will be in clutches above the water line.
Tank Set-up: There aren’t any special requirements for the Apple snail as to whether they need plants or gravel etc., but it is always fun to watch the snails climb, hang and glide through the plant foliage or float upon the air bubbles created by air stones.
Warning!! It is important NOT to include any ornament or gravel that might cut or scratch them!
Tanks must also be completely covered as these snails can and will climb out of them and eventually die if not found in time. It is a common practice to use duck tape or aluminum foil to cover any holes in the hood.
Tank Mates: Any non-aggressive, non-snail eating fish that have the same water requirements as the Brigs should be compatible. I would not mix snails with: Angel Fish, Gold Fish, Swordtails, Puffers and most loaches. Even some Betta’s do not take kindly to snails.
Food: Fish flake and tablets to feed bottom feeders are eaten by the Apple Snail. Vegetables and fruits high in calcium promotes a healthy shell.
Water Additives to promote a Healthy Shell: Kent Marine Concentrated Iodine, Kent Marine Concentrated Calcium, Repti-Cal Calcium Powder for reptiles (¼ teaspoon per 10 gallons), Crushed Egg Shells, Cuttlebone (crushed or whole), Crushed Coral, Aragamax sand, Carabsea Bahama Reef Sand........these are just a few items that aid in a healthy shell for our Apple Snails.
Brigs are well suited for the planted aquariums. They will clean up dead plant foliage, but won’t eat your healthy plants, unless there is no other food offered. They’ll also clean up left over fish food that the fish haven’t eaten. As young hatchlings, they do eat algae, but as they grow older, they prefer solid food, occasionally eating algae. They are great in fry tanks as they naturally produce Infusoria for the baby fishes first food..........
Special Note: Most Fish Stores sell Apple/Mystery Snails. This does not mean that they are of the P.Bridgessii species. Pomacea canaliculata (Cana's) are also sold as Apple/Mystery Snails.
One of the most important differences between the Cana and Brigs is that Brigs are suitable for planted aquariums, Cana's are not! Brigs will grow to golf ball size, Cana's will grow to tennis ball size......
