Saltwater & Reef

SparKy697 · 02-09-2007, 10:15 AM

I know it may seem crazy to be excited about snails breeding, but one of my purple "Mystery" snails just laid a huge clutch of eggs right on the part of the hood that opens. This snail is a beautiful color of purple and I have not seen many of these around. The only question is did she mate with the other purple snail? Or with one of the blue snails? Time will tell.

lmw80 · 02-09-2007, 10:19 AM

wow, that is a GREAT shot! They will produce many snailies I am sure, keep us updated!

MyCatsDrool · 02-09-2007, 10:21 AM

wow that is a big clutch! Let me know when you have too many babies and i will happily buy some from you.

SparKy697 · 02-09-2007, 07:41 PM

Sharing will occur!

I'm going to have to read up on what is the best way to remove the eggs and incubate them. I have been in the process of moving my snails to their own tank when this happened. I think I would like to place the newborn snails in their new home instead of having to fish them out of the old tank.

plecoperson · 02-09-2007, 10:42 PM

Git a razor blade and work it about parallel under the edge of the clutch; it will pop off. Then put it between two lil' squares of filter floss. Then wrap it in a paper towel, wetted w/tank water and wrung out, just one thickness. Then put the package in a gallon-size ziplock bag, fill with air and seal. Put it on top of a tank to keep warm, but not on the vent or really hot part.

Daily empty the air and refill. Start checking in a few days to see if it's changing color. Give it 2 weeks before you give up on it, but it could hatch as fast as 6 days or so. If it's fertile, one day you'll see a baby or babies in there; crumble the rest of the clutch into the tank where you want 'em to help the babies out. If it's not fertile the eggs will remain just goo inside. After 2 weeks w/no hatching, break one open with a fingernail.

I hope they hatch well for you, but if not I have a feeling you will be getting lots of clutches from here on in. Congratulations!!

PS-Unless you want 20 billion snails, you might want to stop at incubating just one or two; each clutch can make hundreds.

SparKy697 · 02-09-2007, 11:03 PM

Yeah, 100's might be a bit much. I think I will let this first clutch hatch and see what happens I can find for them.

They are some really colorful snails though.

Mosaic · 02-10-2007, 11:00 AM

Oh, gorgeous parents! I wouldn't mind having a few babies.

SparKy697 · 02-11-2007, 01:38 AM

You can see small dots forming in the eggs. They are also turning a slight tint of pink/peach color. I think this is a good thing.

SparKy697 · 02-12-2007, 10:05 AM

Clutch number two!

Ok, if each clutch can produce 100's of snails, I'm starting to see how this can get out of hand!

mugginns · 02-12-2007, 10:50 AM

Don't your fish eat the eggs?

SparKy697 · 02-12-2007, 10:56 AM

These snails are in a tank all by themselves. I wanted to see if I could get them to breed. I know that may sound silly but it's true, I didn't know if snails would breed lol.

plecoperson · 02-12-2007, 02:43 PM

These are laid above the water line, so the fishies would have to make a really good effort. Nofishy I know likes snail eggs, even underwater ones.....too goopy, I guess.

SparKy697 · 02-20-2007, 08:14 PM

I couldn't stand it any longer. I took a straight pin and picked at an egg that looked like it was cracked open. Out popped a little white snail shell. too small to tell if there was actually a snail in that shell but I guess that they are or have developed to that point. It has only been a little over a week so I think things are going well....

Jchillin · 02-20-2007, 08:49 PM

Congrats Sparky...you can put me on your list of charitable contributions.

I love their coloration and the babies will definitely possess dynamic colors as well.

SparKy697 · 02-20-2007, 09:27 PM

lol. Duely noted.

Thanks

rich311k · 02-20-2007, 09:39 PM

Congrats Sparky. I hope you over run with little snails very soon.

SparKy697 · 02-22-2007, 10:51 AM

LIFE!!!!

I have been checking on things every morning. This morning I find a single, little, almost clear snail moving around in the container that I have the eggs in. It is the first signs of life I have seen so far.

I gently scraped him/her up and placed it in the tank that is to be for only these snails.

Things are looking good.