MYSTERY SNAILS MEDIUM

Water Conditions: Mystery Snails can do well in a wide range of aquarium water conditions. Avoid sudden shifts in temperature and water parameters because instability can be stressful to snails. The tank should be stable, cycled and established before putting snails in. The tropical community fish tank range is a safe choice. Mystery Snails seem to also like moderately moving, clear, oxygen rich water. A Mystery Snail also seems to adapt to environments with slower moving, murky water. But for aesthetic purposes, many hobbyists like keeping Mystery Snails in tanks with clear water.

Aquarium pH: 7.0 – 7.5
Water Temperature: 68 – 82 Degrees Fahrenheit.
Hardness & Minerals: On the hard side.
Lighting: Normal community tank tank lighting.

Ammonia and Nitrite levels should be at 0 ppm. Nitrate levels need to be kept from building up with regular partial water changes. Plant fertilizers, tank medications and treatments can be problematic as Mystery Snails can be sensitive to their ingredients. This is especially true for additives containing copper. Copper can be fatal.

A Mystery Snail prefers to be kept in aquarium water on the hard side with calcium levels sufficient to maintain healthy shells and adequate growth. Cracked, thin or excessively pitted shells can be signs of Calcium deficiency. When keeping Mystery Snails it may be a good idea to buy a Calcium test kit as well as a kH test kit. Depending on the results of those tests, periodic Calcium supplements may be necessary. But be careful with pH shifts.

Avoid Hazards
Place Mystery Snails Right-Side Up: An often overlooked Mystery Snail care issue involves how a snail is added to a tank. Its best to place the snail right-side up on the tank bottom, as opposed to simply dropping it in and letting it land how it lands. Completely upside-down Mystery Snails often have a difficulty righting themselves when coming out of their shells. A Mystery Snail will open its operculum and try extending its foot to reach hard surfaces like gravel or substrate. If the Mystery Snail’s foot cannot reach a hard surface, the snail may be unable to turn right side up. If too much time passes, the Mystery Snail may die. Mystery Snails laying partially on their sides seem to fare better, but the best practice it to make sure the snail is upright when placed in the tank bottom.

Filter Intakes: A big Mystery Snail care issue involves filter intakes. A Mystery Snail may be drawn to a strong filter intake searching for edible matter. The hazard is the Mystery Snail may get its head stuck in the slots. The Mystery Snail may stress, and its trapped head and body can swell up further complicating matters. Between the swelling and the draw of the water, the snail may not be able to remove itself, and it can die.

Trying to rescue Mystery Snails trapped in a filter intake may further injure the snail or kill it. In this situation, its best to turn the filter off for a bit to see if the snail can wiggle its way out of trouble. But the better choice is to avoid the issue from the start by placing sponge pre-filters over strong filter intakes before the snails go in.