![]() You’ll sometimes see it referred to as the spike-topped apple snail or common apple snail. It originates in South America with the highest density being in Peru, Paraguay, Brazil, and Bolivia. The next time you see your mystery snail on the glass, look for its mouth and radula.The mystery snail ( Pomacea bridgesii) is an extremely popular type of freshwater snail. However, some snails, like the marine cone snail ( Conus spp.), have evolved a proboscis that fires a venomous harpoon. Most snails use a radula, or a specialized tooth-covered tongue, to scrap off algae and other microflora from hard surfaces. The mouth is one of the coolest adaptations of freshwater, saltwater, brackish, and terrestrial snails. If the operculum of your snail has fallen off, there is a good chance that it is either dead or dying. ![]() Not all snails have an operculum, but mystery snails do. The operculum is a small, usually calcareous, disc that creates a seal with the shell and covers the body of the snail when retracted. Foots can come in different colors as well, though mystery snail feet are typically black, tan, or light yellow. Snails coat their foot in a unique thin layer of mucus which allows them to stick to many surfaces. Contractions of these muscles allow the snail to propel itself forward. The foot is the long muscular fleshy bottom of the animal. Snail shells can come in many colors, though mystery snails usually come in brown, black, and yellow.įoot. A chipping or brittle snail shell can mean a lack of nutrients. Most of the needed calcium is taken in through diet. ![]() All snail shells, including mystery snail shells, are mostly made of hard calcium carbonate that grows with the snail for the duration of its life this calcium carbonate is very similar to what saltwater corals are made of! At the center of the shell is typically a pointed whorl. ![]() In fact, snails are fascinating creatures that are able to tolerate some of the fastest-changing environments on this planet.īasic snail anatomy is as follows (picture source from Lander University): So much so that many hobbyists overlook exactly how their anatomy and physiology benefit their freshwater aquarium. However, mystery snails are much different from true apple snails. This is because all members under the larger category of Ampullariidae are known as apple snails. In general, mystery snails are categorized as Pomacea bridgesii, though this may not always be the right taxonomy.Īnother common term for the mystery snail is apple snail. ![]() Depending on the exact species being considered, coloration can vary which leads to more exact common names, like black mystery snail or golden mystery snail. The term mystery snail generally refers to all species in the Pomacea genus under the Ampullariidae family. These are large and colorful snails that help keep the aquarium glass clean but that can also quickly overpopulate the system if left uncontrolled. Mystery snails can experience poor shell growth and overpopulation when left untreated and unmonitored.Īmpullariidae (sometimes referred to as Pilidae)ĭepending on who you ask, mystery snails are either the best or worse thing that has ever happened to their freshwater aquarium.These snails are very willing to eat detritus and algae but aren’t the best cleaners when it comes to cleaning up fish waste and other debris.Mystery snails are large freshwater snails that come in an assortment of colors.Chloroquine Phosphate Aquarium Dosing Calculator. ![]()
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