Snailed It! Your Hub for Aquatic Snail Care

The Shelled Sanctuary is an incredible rescue founded and operated by one individual dedicated to saving Giant African Land Snails (GALS) by providing them specialized care and by spreading awareness of their plight. In their own words, they are "a sanctuary for the loved, unloved, and misunderstood snails that get passed down to me due to rehomes, rescues, etc." Here are some excerpts from one of their posts that best sum up the sanctuary's mission: "These animals are far more than 'kids pets' like they are too often treated as, and deserve just as much respect as any other exotic animal. Giant african land snails, while beautiful, are often neglected to the point they die far earlier than they would naturally or with correct care, meaning many pass away before they are even 5 years old! This is partially due to incorrect care, accidental neglect, and also due to these lovely animals being marketed as 'children's pets' - something most children...

A young golden mystery snail exploring Whether you already own a mystery snail or are planning on buying one, this guide offers comprehensive answers and guidelines for optimal mystery snail care. I'll also share advice and suggestions regarding pitfalls I fell into as a beginner aquatic snail owner. With that, let's dive in! (Note: I am not sponsored by any brands I mention, nor am I affiliated with any sources I recommend.) Tank Size Mystery snails can easily reach around 2 - 3 inches in diameter. They love to roam, climb, and parasnail (more on that later), so it's important that you choose an environment that allows them the space to do so freely. The general rule of thumb is 5 gallons per mystery snail.  In my experience, you can comfortably house up to four in a 10 gallon tank. However, if you are just beginning, I would recommend housing only two in a 10 gallon, as this will give you time to adjust to the bioload they produce (they produce a lot of waste very quickly...