Snailed It! Your Hub for Aquatic Snail Care

  "What is this arm on my snail? Is he okay?" Among the most frequent questions I come across regarding aquatic snails include questions about anatomy — and rightfully so! Snails have very funky anatomy, sometimes mystifying both beginner and long-time snailkeepers. While we still have yet to fully understand how aquatic snails function, there's thankfully much that we do know. Today, I'll break down the components of aquatic snail anatomy, focusing on the mystery snail.  The mystery snail encompasses the anatomical structure present in each freshwater aquatic snail, hence my focus on this specific species. Lola, the master of balance! Siphon That question asked at the beginning usually pertains to the mystery snail. What is that little tube? Most initially guess either parasite or genitalia. You'll be relieved to know that it's neither. This is their siphon! I'll include this video I uploaded to my Instagram account for a fun summarization: My Siphon Vide...

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...