Channeled Apple Snail care guide

Channeled Apple Snail (Pomacea canaliculata) — minimum tank 60 L, temperature 18-28 °C, pH 7-8.5.

Overview

Channeled Apple Snail (Pomacea canaliculata) is an apple snail of the family Ampullariidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as a beginner-level species. Highly invasive apple snail — voraciously eats all aquarium plants and is banned in EU and several countries. Often mis-sold as Mystery Snail; check the spire shape (deep channels around whorls). Avoid keeping unless permitted locally.

Taxonomy

Family: Ampullariidae
Genus: Pomacea
Scientific name: Pomacea canaliculata
Common synonyms: Channeled Apple Snail, Golden Apple Snail (incorrect trade name)

Habitat

Apple snails (family Ampullariidae) are large freshwater gastropods of the tropics, possessing both a gill and a lung that lets them breathe air. Several South American species are aggressive plant grazers and have become serious invasive pests outside their native range. In the Aquairi knowledge base this species is recorded from South America.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 60 L (15.9 US gal)
Adult size: 5-8 cm
Temperature: 18-28 °C (64-82 °F)
pH: 7-8.5
GH: 8-18 °dGH
KH: 4-12 °dKH
Lifespan: 2-4 years

Diet

The species is a herbivore, grazing algae, biofilm and decaying matter from surfaces and substrate; in aquaria its diet is supplemented with algae wafers and blanched vegetables when natural growth is scarce.

Compatibility

The Aquairi knowledge base lists this species as peaceful. Suitable tank mates include Hardy fish in species tank. It should be kept away from Planted tanks, Loaches, Pufferfish. It grazes and may damage soft aquarium plants, so it is best suited to hardscape or species tanks.

Breeding

Reproduction is egg-laying, and aquarium breeding is rated easy.