Mystery Snail Eggs - Aquarium Advice

The HTR · 06-19-2008, 05:37 PM

Hello all,

Yesterday, I discovered mystery snail eggs in my 20g aquarium for the first time. After having a heartbreaking battle with ich, I went with just the pleco for a bit and put two mystery snails (golden and blue) into the aquarium along with an African dwarf frog. Just the other day, I added a small yellow African Cichlid who is quite an entertaining character, hiding in a corner and darting out for food before retreating back in.

Anyways, there are now eggs in three of the top corners of my aquarium. The water level had been lowered to create more surface agitation from the HOB filter while I maintain high temps. On the chance that some of these eggs actually hatch, will the African cichlid become a problem for them? I'd at least like 2-3 to survive to adulthood as the snails fascinate me to no end.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

CatatonicBug · 06-19-2008, 06:33 PM

Congrats! I understand the snails lay their eggs above the water line on purpose, probably to protect them from fish. The Cichlid may very well snack on them after hatching though. Do you have another tank you can raise them in? How about adding extra cover for the snails to hide in?

The HTR · 06-19-2008, 08:33 PM

I don't have another tank to raise them in and I'm a bit upset that I just witnessed the cichlid nip at my pleco and my golden mystery snail who were on the other side of the tank from his "cave" and not bothering him in any way.

I've found that by shifting the gravel around in his territory, it occupies him for hours trying to slowly recarve his place.

jsoong · 06-19-2008, 08:43 PM

You can hatch out the snail in a small tub. This is a pretty good article on how:
Hatching Out Apple Snail Clutches

You can leave the eggs in place if it is humid, but I would suspect that your cichlid would eat the baby snails as they hatch (my goldies sure did). You might want to catch a few to raise in a separate tub when the time comes.

Stephen · 06-25-2008, 11:59 AM

I haven't had any actual experience with snail eggs and cichlids, but I'm betting they would be considered snacks. I agree with jsoong, just hatch them in a small tub.

The HTR · 06-26-2008, 05:03 PM

Turns out they weren't eggs...its was like the glue or whatever from the seams in the tank...I feel like a moron.

Stephen · 06-29-2008, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The HTR

Turns out they weren't eggs...its was like the glue or whatever from the seams in the tank...I feel like a moron.

Oh well, I'm sure you'll be seeing eggs in the near future. It's hard to keep a good snail down.

jdsunflower · 06-29-2008, 10:53 AM

funny!
I only have one golden apple snail and they are much more entertaining than I ever expected...I was astonished to see the reaction to a tiny piece of calcium I added to my tank to raise hardness for my plants). I guess they are often deficient in this...
JD

06-19-2008, 05:37 PM	#1
The HTR Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 24	Mystery Snail Eggs Hello all, Yesterday, I discovered mystery snail eggs in my 20g aquarium for the first time. After having a heartbreaking battle with ich, I went with just the pleco for a bit and put two mystery snails (golden and blue) into the aquarium along with an African dwarf frog. Just the other day, I added a small yellow African Cichlid who is quite an entertaining character, hiding in a corner and darting out for food before retreating back in. Anyways, there are now eggs in three of the top corners of my aquarium. The water level had been lowered to create more surface agitation from the HOB filter while I maintain high temps. On the chance that some of these eggs actually hatch, will the African cichlid become a problem for them? I'd at least like 2-3 to survive to adulthood as the snails fascinate me to no end. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

06-19-2008, 06:33 PM	#2
CatatonicBug Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 511 Images: 6	Congrats! I understand the snails lay their eggs above the water line on purpose, probably to protect them from fish. The Cichlid may very well snack on them after hatching though. Do you have another tank you can raise them in? How about adding extra cover for the snails to hide in? __________________ Remember - in Aquaria, nothing good happens fast. Starting a new tank? Click here for instructions. 47g tall FW, 10g planted, 2.5g planted office tank

06-19-2008, 08:43 PM	#4
jsoong Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 1,894	You can hatch out the snail in a small tub. This is a pretty good article on how: Hatching Out Apple Snail Clutches You can leave the eggs in place if it is humid, but I would suspect that your cichlid would eat the baby snails as they hatch (my goldies sure did). You might want to catch a few to raise in a separate tub when the time comes. __________________ 75 gal FW with 30 gal DIY wet/dry/sump. 9 fancy golds, 1 hillstream loaches, 1 rubber-lip pleco (C. thomasi), 3 SAEs, planted.

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06-19-2008, 08:33 PM	#3
The HTR Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 24	I don't have another tank to raise them in and I'm a bit upset that I just witnessed the cichlid nip at my pleco and my golden mystery snail who were on the other side of the tank from his "cave" and not bothering him in any way. I've found that by shifting the gravel around in his territory, it occupies him for hours trying to slowly recarve his place.

06-25-2008, 11:59 AM	#5
Stephen Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 141	I haven't had any actual experience with snail eggs and cichlids, but I'm betting they would be considered snacks. I agree with jsoong, just hatch them in a small tub.

06-26-2008, 05:03 PM	#6
The HTR Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 24	Turns out they weren't eggs...its was like the glue or whatever from the seams in the tank...I feel like a moron.

06-29-2008, 10:53 AM	#8
jdsunflower Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: May 2008 Location: ottawa Posts: 131	funny! I only have one golden apple snail and they are much more entertaining than I ever expected...I was astonished to see the reaction to a tiny piece of calcium I added to my tank to raise hardness for my plants). I guess they are often deficient in this... JD