What is soo special about snails?

[Nameless]

What is soo special about snails? I don't see why people usually have them in their aquariums. Is there something that I am missing here?

[grnlemonade]

well, snails can look nice if not overpopulating, and can eat some algae.

[t_chelle16]

Well, what I like to call hitchhiker snails (generally common ramshorn & pond snails that come in on plants) are really a neussance and I would be really glad to be rid of them.

My apple/black mystery snails on the other hand, I really like. I just thing they're cool looking and in my fry tank at least, they do a really great job of cleaning up un eaten food. But mainly I think they're cool looking.

-Chelle

[Nameless]

I saw some big apple snails at my lfs. HOw big do they get when fully grown?

[grnlemonade]

i think i have heaerd of them gettin to the size of a softball, but largest i have seen was around a tennis ball size.

[Nameless]

Wow, are you serious! I guess that means no snails for me!

Lol!

[grnlemonade]

i think they only get that size after a long time, i think a few years if they are able to live that long...its not anything that hapens quickly.

[Nameless]

I c, but i still wouldn't want a snail that big. Lol!

[grnlemonade]

lol, true.....i wonder what one that size would be gonig for pricewise....since you rarley see them that large.

[t_chelle16]

The size of apple snails partially depends on the temperature they're kept at. Lower temperatures slows down their metabolism so they live longer and can grow larger. Warmer temperatures speeds up their metabolism so although they will grow faster, they won't live as long and can't get as big. My 1st apple snail (kept at tropical temps) died recently and he was 2" across at the widest spot.

-Chelle