Hello, I have recently hatched some Blue Mystery snails and was wondering what I could feed them. I have been using just crushed flakes but it has been a mess to clean up with all the little snails down there. It's a 20g long tank, is the algae on the glass enough food for them, do they even eat it? I have had about 100 die, but I believe that was from no algae in a clean tank when I put the first batch in there (I used good water from another tank and had no cloud, but no algae either). I still have a dozen or so egg clutches that are on a hanging incubator just above the water and wish to make sure I don't have the kind of losses I had initially. I am also curious what is the best way to hatch these snails, I have tried both the hanging incubator wherein the eggs just sit out in the open but in the humidity of the tank, and I have tried the wrap in moist paper towel. I have gotten them to hatch both ways. I would note that I would let them hatch into the original breeding tank, but it is infested with those little tiny ovalish black snails and would like to keep them out of there. I have been doing more and more frequent water changes in all of my tanks that have snails from this family in an attempt to keep their shells nice, my question is if the water is good am I not feeding them enough if their shells still don't grow nicely. One last one, do mystery snails eat their young, can I put a few adults in the infant tank and be alright? Thanks for any help.

Hey chris80512 ~ welcome to Aquarium Addicts!

In my experience with these snails, they really seem to enjoy the sinking algae pellets that you might feed a pleco or something. In fact, I found these softer sinking spirolina tablets (more like little balls actually) at my LFS and use them to feed both my FW and SW algae eating inverts. Unfortunately though, these snails may do some damage to real plants, if you have any, and they can reproduce extremely fast...to the point where many people have trouble getting rid of them.

Anyways, they will also partake in uneaten fish food, however, to avoid having to overfeed and/or having that food get caught in your substrate, I've found putting a bit of flake food or the algae pellets in a glass jar works well as far as being able to remove and replenish the food. Even a plastic jar would work and if you have problems with your fish getting to it before the snails, try feeding a few minutes after you turn off the lights, or use a lid in the jar/container that is too small for the fish...although, sooner or later your snails could be larger than any of your fish but for now it should work well. This is also a good trick for catching and removing snails if you find you have too many...just take the jar out of the tank before you turn the lights on and remove any snails that may be feasting.

Of course, the snails may also feed off any algae that is growing on glass, rocks, decorations, etc as well. Generally, hatching a significant number of snails isn't a problem; even if you have fish that find the eggs to be a good snack. It might be wise to check with people in your area to make sure that you will be able to trade or sell these snails because they are usually easy to find and hence, hard to pass along; even for free. Additionally, there is a strong likelihood that it is illegal to let these snails (as well as many other types of livestock) into the wild. I've also heard that selling these snails is illegal in some areas too but again, you would have to check for your area.

Again, it is great to meet you and welcome to the forum!

I've heard that putting either a piece of lettuce or a slice of cucumber (or was it zucchini?) will cause pest snails to congregate and make them easy to remove if you are trying to rid your tank of snails, so it seems to me that either of those should be a decent food as well.

Hmm, all I can say is great snacks for my loach. Anyhow..................