I bought a Snail, what should I feed him?

[u2_Crazy]

Well I may have put the cart before the horse a bit, but anyway, I bought a bunch of new plants to add to my aquarium yesterday and decided to add a "mystery snail" to my tank. He is a very cool looking snail and I found myself just watching him go all night. Anyway, he seems to like the mopani wood, but I want to make sure he doesn't eat any of my plants. So some questions,

If he's working on one of my plants, is he eating it or eating algae off the leaves?

What can I drop in for him to munch on if there isn't enough Algea to keep him busy?

Can I add several without worrying about any bio-load issues? I think I want to have at least 1 or 2 more?

I have a 29 Gal planted tank.

Thanks

 

[Jchillin]

If he isn't a P. bridgessi (Apple snail), then he is in fact consuming your plants. This is not good for your plants, he will make short work of them.

 

[u2_Crazy]

I googled mystery snail and Apple snail came up, he looks like an apple snail, so hopefully thats what he is.

 

[talloulou]

They love to eat algae wafers and zucchini!

 

[Guest]

and carrots.. yes carrots. cooked carrots.

 

[tropicfishman]

i'm afraid if i bouht a snail or two that we would crawl out of my tank and run off lol

 

[Jchillin]

I googled mystery snail and Apple snail came up, he looks like an apple snail, so hopefully thats what he is.

There are many varieties of Apple snail, P. bridgessi being one that doesn't eat plants.

Take a look at http://www.applesnail.net and see if you can identify yours there. Or, look at my "fish and plant' clicky and see if he looks like mine.