Dumb Question about Breeding...But I'll Ask Anyways..

[Katalyst]

Since my goldfish only lay eggs when I am either sleeping or out of the house for several hours...I swear they are mocking me ... I thought it'd be fun to try out my luck with my snails. I've gotten some real beauties from Northern Snails & Bay City Bettas (hope I'm allowed to mention them). Needless to say I'm now addicted to snails now. I did get a few clutches that I hope will hatch but I'd really like it if some of my little guys could produce some clutches. Whew to much yapping...

Okay here's the cliff notes version...

Other then good water params, which I have...Is there anything I can do to help the snails get in the mood? The tanks are kept around 75, I know some keep their temps higher but I'd like to have as long as of life span as possible. I teach biology and I'd like to include my colored apple snails into my lesson plans during my genetics unit next year so I'm trying to become a snail expert over the next 9 months or so. I think it'd be much for fun to try to predict/calculate the color the babies will be etc. etc. I'm also building an indoor snail pond so I'll have plenty of room. I've got about 200 gallons at the moment allocated to my current and my future snails.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Kathleen

[CACAdmin]

How about candlelight and dinner music?:laugh: All kidding aside, what type of Applesnails are they? That's one thing that would dictate the breeding requirements. For instance, marisas lay below the water line, P. Bridgesiis above. If they're Brigs, lower the water line to allow lots of space for them to lay their clutches. Also, a good diet is important. Hope some of this helps.

[Melody]

The only stupid question is the one that goes unasked, said someone brilliant. :smile:

Brig's lay when they lay and not one second before....lol. A good diet helps, lotsa fresh food, high in vitamins. I'm experimenting with vegetable protein and they do seem to respond to that as well. Sometimes if you drop the temps a bit for a few weeks and then raise it again, that will do it.

The little ones should be the size of quarters before they can breed for you, but it won't take long.

You've got some very pretty genetics there, I've bought snails from both sources too. It is just fine to mention them - we're all about connections & good breeders deserve to be recognized. It helps other people make their buying decisions too. ::D:

[Katalyst]

Thanks, they are Brigs. A few of them are breeding size, I've been feeding them fresh: spinach (sparingly)dill, parsley, green beans, pea's as well as frozen daphina, bloodworms, brine shrimp, krill and marine algae, Pro Gold and Tung Hoi pellets, algae wafers and snail biscuits that I made them which they go wild over. I'm hoping that's varied enough because I'm exausted and they eat better then I do! I am going to pick up some romaine tommorrow though.

I have the water line lowered about 2 inches tommorrow, I'll lower it another inch or two and see what happens. My cana likes to torture me by laying duds and or crawling all over the top and just when I think she's going to lay; she drops down to the bottom and crawls around, spoiled brat.

Thanks guys!

[Melody]

LOL They can be maddening and it has nothing to do with care or experience levels half the time.

Parsley is another one to go easy on, and not too much 'meat' protein. That's more opinion than anything - we really know very little for sure about their diet. I've just studied their wild diet and made conclusions. Cana's appear to require more protein, I suppose to facilitate fast growth.

I think I just said that to make myself feel useful...lol...you're doing a fantastic job if I'm anyone to judge, its just a matter of time. Have you sexed them? Maybe your mature ones are all one sex?

[Katalyst]

LOL They can be maddening and it has nothing to do with care or experience levels half the time.

Parsley is another one to go easy on, and not too much 'meat' protein. That's more opinion than anything - we really know very little for sure about their diet. I've just studied their wild diet and made conclusions. Cana's appear to require more protein, I suppose to facilitate fast growth.

I think I just said that to make myself feel useful...lol...you're doing a fantastic job if I'm anyone to judge, its just a matter of time. Have you sexed them? Maybe your mature ones are all one sex?

Nope they won't fully open if I hold them, I know I have a few males for sure. You had to see my face before I knew about siphons..:eek: I have a few that appear to be females. Then again I have a goldie named Sweet Pea who has the biggest breeding stars ever right now. To date I'm lousy at sexing them.

The little flap of folded skin is the ***** sheath right?

[Melody]

The pic's here (http://www.tronchaser.com/~cindi/ss.html) explain it all far better than I could. They never co-operate when I want to sex them either, so I can relate.:twitcy:

I think most of us were in awe of those 'syphons' the first time we saw them...lol.

[Katalyst]

Yep I've seen it...One of my cana's clams up when I pick him up and the other one must of been pretty badly neglected (rescue). I had to patch his shell recently and he/she/shim freaks out and won't move for a day or so when I pick him up so for now I'm leaving them both. Eventually I'll figure it out with a lot of eggs or no eggs lol.

[Melody]

I think that's a good call.:yes: Hope the rescue does ok. Maybe you can start a thread about him and detail your patching? I've never had to do it myself and I'm sure it would be helpful to others at some point or another. If you find a moment in time to do it that is.:smile:

[Katalyst]

I think that's a good call.:yes: Hope the rescue does ok. Maybe you can start a thread about him and detail your patching? I've never had to do it myself and I'm sure it would be helpful to others at some point or another. If you find a moment in time to do it that is.:smile:

I'm beyond a newbie at this and the patch isn't pretty. I did it only because the other snails started to pick at him. Poor little guy, now he's in a 15 gallon by himself but is still very shy. Half of his side was exposed :( Meanwhile the dolt in the LFS is spewing you don't have to feed snails...But if you want to give them cheerios. I must have looked like a maniac as I repeated 'Cheerios? Why on earth would you feed a snail cheerios?' And then went into teacher mode explaining why snails need. Blah blah blah blah... This pertinant information came from their self proclaimed snail expert. :no:

I'll try to get pictures of him later at the moment he's playing possom. He likes to pretend he's dead so I freak out and hand feed him the little brat.

[Melody]

As long as its working, looks don't matter. Your experience with it is valuable, expert status or not.:smile:

What a gift the store person was! Cheerios?! That's a first. :rolleyes: I understand that most people don't know a whole lot about snails and I have no problem with that, but they shouldn't pretend they do either.

The most useful answer I receive from store staff is "I don't know". Then I am aware of the fact that I have to do some research. Feeding me a bunch of fish-poo does me no good and it makes the store look bad. If I had to name one thing that I would like a fish store employee to be taught, it would be that its ok to say "I don't know". Even one better, "I don't know, but let's see if we can find out" and consult a book in the store. The first time a store employee did the latter when I asked a question, I was thoroughly impressed.:yes:

Anyways, whenever he and you have a good moment is fine. We appreciate the effort!