The Truth about Mystery Snails

Today we take a look inside my 75g Mystery Snail Aquarium and talk about some of the pros and cons.
My Patreon: / racheloleary
Fan mail can be sent to: PO box 146 Manchester PA 17345
Buy me a coffee: msjinkzd.com/ab...
Instagram @msjinkzd
Website and stocklist: msjinkzd.com/st...
Facebook: / msjinkzd
#snail #aquarium #fishtank

[@johnnygee4206]

I once asked my local pet store owner how mystery snails got their name, and her deadpan reply was, " I don't know. It's a mystery". That's the underappreciated type of abusive customer service that always gets my repeat business.

[@dimask77]

I literally laughed out loud. Was that for real or it's a joke?

[@johnnygee4206]

@@dimask77 Really happened. Small, family owned place. Apparently, once they like you enough to start treating you like dirt, it means they consider you part of the family. HaHa!

[@clarencejackson5284]

😂😂

[@No.............]

Incase if anybody is curious about the actual origin of the name. Its because they were confused with the Chinese mystery snail, which isn't an apple snail, but looks fairly similar to the South American apple snail species we erroneously call mystery snails. The Chinese mystery snail is called a "Mystery snail" because they give birth to live young and grow large. so you would end up with a bunch of snails suddenly and "Mysteriously" because there were no egg casings left behind.

[@brittanywilliams4174]

😂😂😂

[@TheDave333]

When most people think of snails, they think clumsy, gross, and slow, but they're incredibly beautiful, graceful and delicate. I love my mystery snails. . . Thanks Rachel for another great video. 🌿🎥🐠

[@mrbotlegmechanic2491]

Actually there pretty fast

[@derrickhageman1969]

@@mrbotlegmechanic2491 definitely faster than land snail but they are fast at breeding as well

[@6DogNight]

I never expected to be so enamored with them! They're a lot of fun to watch!

[@rhettschleehauf4345]

Same!! Got a handful in our 45 gallon tank now have a few hundred and now they’re the main attraction and people think I’m joking when I say how much fun it is to watch snails and until they see them first hand and completely agree!!! When they’re active they’re quirks! Love em!

[@bo_392]

Before You Buy: mystery snails are NOTHING like pest/nerite snails. they're smart, long lived, with a voracious appetite and dirty waste. you gotta take care of 'em more like a fish. _source: personal experience_

[@sheriedwards6874]

I absolutely love my mystery snails and actually strongly appreciate all of my snails. They have wonderful behaviors that mesmerize me for hours. Good for the soul. Thank you for giving us your amazing experience. Also, when I first got “pest snails” I was horrified. Because of you and other You Tubers saying how they help; I now love them.

[@bjjbrawler1]

Agreed about how awesome these snails are. I have a black nerite snail and an Inca gold/ apple/ mystery type one.... i assassinated the pests with an assassin snail tho!

[@susieb.8126]

I love them

[@kalypsspylak1659]

I had 2 now i have more than 200 in just 5 months and i can’t sell them nor give them to someone my tank is so full of snails

[@lisawhereisthecultjam]

I learned how to properly incubate their clutches by watching one of your videos. I now am known as the snail lady and have a healthy trade with 2 of my local fish stores. I give them snails and I get food, fish, or whatever I need (within reason of course) from the stores. Oh, you also taught me that they love canned green beans. The snails and my wallet thank you.

[@Suz_408]

I fell in love with these snails well over 30 years ago. It's what led me to fish keeping. Thanks for a great video, Rachel!

[@HooksHollands]

My 6 gallon tank has had a dumbo betta and a handful of mystery snails for years, and I can honestly say the snails are more active and entertaining than the lazy betta who spends most of his day sleeping on Anubias Barteri! 🤣 Thanks for this video, Rachel!

[@meadowp1983]

Yesss my mystery snail is extremely active while my betta spends most of his time floating in one spot staring out the window 😭

[@quki3]

I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one with a lazy betta. I worry about him! He usually I only wakes up to eat - I have a ten gallon and I can’t keep more than 3 small mystery snails because they ruin the water.

[@MridulSinghMusic]

Parasnailing!! 🤣 Made my day Rachel, thanks for sharing!

[@ScarlettRedTea]

Yes, a new video! Educational as always. I love how you upload regulary short videos. No blah blah just to fill time for ads. Just short snippets of information. Always a pleasure watching and learning for my aquarium. You gave me so much good advice / insight. Love from Germany!

[@TCS_Aquatics]

I’ve wanted to see you do another mystery snail video for so long!!! They were my first love in the hobby as well, they really take me back to a place in my childhood where I was totally happy and care free.

[@Honkey-Donkey]

Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "Eat Sh!t".

[@carolebraswell982]

Mystery snails are what got me started also, and I think that's how I found you on KZbin! I was successful using your tips and tricks to raise up lots and lots of snails! And I still love watching them!

[@Leeuwtje1979]

Snails are my favorite species. I have blue and white baby mystery snails, Sulawesi and Neritina and a couple of ramshorn. I find snails so fascinating :)

[@betterthantelevision]

I have nerites, mini ramshorn, and bladder snails galore. I'm also a big fan. First time I saw a bladder snail float from the bottom of the tank to the top I was floored. Had no idea they did that. Only ever bought the nerites, the bladder and mini rams came with plants I bought.

[@roland_the_cursor]

You probably have hundreds of ramshorns now xD

[@ScarlettRedTea]

I just realized that I started the aquarium hobby with a 3 Gallon "tank" just to keep colorful ramshorn snails. Later came my 30 Gallon which now houses Corydoras and inpaichthys kerri "super blue". Love it.

[@nataliecrouch5946]

I got a ramshorn snail and boom 1000s of snails overtook my 10 galllon tank. Not that i minded but i did have fish in there too. It wasn’t supposed to be a snail tank 😂

[@valeriestrickler6902]

I also love mystery snails! They are so amusing which sounds weird if you don't know this snail. I first got it because I thought they were pretty then I found myself just sitting there watching them. If you have a tank you gotta get a mystery snail. That's all I have to say about that!

[@rebecasabourin1318]

I absolutely love snails, mystery snails are my favorite.

[@shhh_iamthenight6933]

I too love Snails, blue mystery & nerites specifically amongst other tropical fishes (mainly as cleanup crews). I always recommend adding pet bird cuttlebone (what birds use to sharpen beaks/source calcium as well). This way shells won't slowly breakdown & away, resulting in premature deaths & snail-on-snail predation via hungry for calcium snail literally eating fellow snail's shell off it's back so poor thing can get it's own needed calcium. I usually split bone in 4's and use half as submerging 1 whole part in full & 2nd I gring up in small bits & dispurse as if were gravel/adding calcium directly into water supply itself. Shrimps, Snails & most invertebrates require calcium to build-up outer shells/exoskeletons. Ps. Boil, only 2 of 4 parts of bone going in immediately so will become denser & sink. Gdlk. Lata 🐊.

[@rhettschleehauf4345]

Began with a handful of these snails in a 45 gallon tank with a dozen tertra fish - now I have a few hundred and they’re absolutely the main attraction! Indeed they are quirky and have personalities!! I could watch them all day! People think I’m joking when I say how fun it is to watch snails until they see them para-snailing or hitching a ride on another’s back! Definitely more intelligent than I would have guessed! Kicking back watching them feed is more entertaining than most tv shows 😎

[@Nenezilla]

I miss my snails. Loved when they would 'ride' the bubbles from the airstones!

[@susieb.8126]

Yes they parachute down it's crazy and so adorable

[@quki3]

Oh sh!t! That’s what happens to my duck weed!! I bought 3 ivory mystery snails and now I have a million and they are screwing up my water that I barely got cycled. I would like to sell or trade them- ideally but there are no clubs near me and I don’t know anyone that is into aquariums.. 😢 because I’m not killing them. They are so cool. ❤I had to use all the aquariums I had bought at a big sale that I wanted to use later once I figured out what I was doing.

[@kylethomas6784]

Goldfish will peck the crap out of their antenna and peck at the foot of the snail but of course my goldfish about 8 inches long

[@sandrastreifel6452]

I was wondering if goldfish were one of those fish. Do you think small goldfish would be okay with them?

[@kylethomas6784]

They really didn't start pecking at the snails until they got around 4 inches that's when I noticed the snails antenna would disappear

[@ashleywickett9]

I've always housed my apple snails with my goldfish. I have had them together for three years now. As long as the tank is big enough for the snails and goldfish you shouldn't have a problem. Housing with goldfish will also reduce egg clutches as water is too cold for them to reproduce.

[@vb2377]

The beauty of guppy grass!

[@valleach9862]

Girl, you rock. Love your set up

[@mariahpierson9573]

Mystery snails are one of my favorite things in my tank!

[@elisab7796]

I got a mystery snail that likes to surf on broken off leaves at the top the tank. Thought it was a accident first time I saw it. But he does it every week.

[@nevaehwhittier2218]

Thank you for the video!

[@assiahinarkansas]

I just got my first mystery snails a couple of weeks ago. Love them.

[@markfranklin8831]

Man i wish you could come back to the KZbin channel and put out new content i miss you but for now I have a bunch of videos i just rewatch all time 💗💯✌️✌️ thanks.

[@RachelOLeary]

thank you so much for the support.

[@mathewhunt81]

yet another amazing video, thank you for making these. i subscribed (didnt realize that i hadnt already). great info and entertaining

[@Midnightwolf1333]

I have 7.8 pH and high calcium and their shells still look terrible ☹️ my nerites look great! But these guys always look bad in my tanks

[@Bloodhoundfostermom]

they are so cute and the little shrimp trying to steal the spot light was adorable

[@Jerry-lj3cf]

Love the video and I hope that you are doing well as we're all in this pandemic together and I hope you are enjoying your rafting with your bf and friends 😊.

[@jamesmcclurg9787]

I raise mystery snails and apple snails use rabbit food it makes the snails happy and they breed like crazy

[@Jeffdoeswhat]

Good info

[@RikoStan]

Love me some Mystery Snails! Just had a long talk with Lav, The Mother of Snails about them last night.

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

You answered some of my questions and taught me so much about these beautiful snails! Thanks for the great video Rachel!! I hope you have a blessed day!!🙏❤️🌿🐟🌿💚

[@KaiTakApproach]

The mystery snail is like a rockstar. If you rent it a room it will poop all over the place, knock over your house plants, climb the walls and surf around, eat all your human food, screw like a rabbit, grow fat as a '70s Elvis and stay up all night waking up the neighbors.

[@diurnalwinter945]

Yeah I just got a mystery snail a few days ago and it does exactly that. Hangs onto my surface plants for a ride, munches on them and other plants, poops everywhere, constantly wants more food than the ones I drop in, gets occasionally stuck, and generally just causes chaos in my tank. But it's alright for now, I'm enjoying their shenanigans.

[@donnauk2493]

Species spotlight cards I think you are the perfect person for it xx

[@wyzemann]

I remember your species spotlight on these snails. I finally learned from that upload why they suck at algae clean-up. You keep me so educated about a heap of things I’ve done or AM DOING incorrectly. Thank You, Rachel, for being authentic. Also, give your Mama & Daddy a hug for bestowing you with a keen, down-to-earth intellect...if at all applicable😁.

[@chaoticsofea999]

I only have bladder snail,i found them in hornwort at my local lake.I was thinking bout getting a horn snail but they're pretty expensive here.Horn snail costed about 6-9 dollar im ded.I notice apple snail is around 4-5 dollar each so right now im learning bout them before buying.

[@HomeGrownZoneHGZTV]

I have a 600 gallon tropical enclosure with a meandering stream and waterfall on the bottom. The algae is hard to control on the bottom of the enclosure . I was wondering if these snails climb out of the water at times to forage? I do not want then to eat my plants out of the enclosure.

[@kasieleow3165]

I have 3 mystery snail buddies and I couldn't be happier with that! They have a whole 20 gallon long aquarium to themselves!

[@tomcooper2646]

Just a reminder to never let these snails loose in the wild. We have a cabin on a lake in Wisconsin and someone dumped mystery snails into the lake. The snails can populate up to 800 per square meter so we actively try to pick them to reduce the population. Every summer we kill about 200,000 snails and it only makes a small dent. If anyone has advice on how to eradicate please leave a message. They have caused a huge inconvenience to our lake.

[@richardmaccarthy101]

Hey rachael, got my first tank in about 15 years a few weeks back -- snails and shrimp were not a thing in my day at all. My mind is blown!! I can't believe people dislike pond snails. I can't believe there's a pom pom crab in my tank. Shrimp are delightful pigeons of the river -- who knew? Nano fish exist. Snails hunt snails. What a world! Incredible videos, exactly my cup of tea - the "kulhi-chilli-cherry-pom-pom" combo is something I would recommend for blackwater nano tanks!

[@richardmaccarthy101]

No second "a" in your name?? Mea culpa... :-)

[@tritonriverstone5185]

Great Video. We love our Mystery Snails. Hercules was our first one, later got a couple of males with the intent of having a male only tank. A week or so ago, we found out that Hercules was a female, and has laid a rather large clutch. So I missexed Hercules and bought males by accident lol. So we are just going with it and watch the little ones grow up. Stay Awesome.

[@kellyporter4527]

What do I need to feed my snails !?? To stop them from eating my baby plants. !!!😡😡😡 !! I Feed them everyday. Fish food ,green beans.& They still go to my plants!!😡 I'm trying to get my plants bigger then I don't care if they eat my plants. !

[@kasieleow3165]

I think I just found out that my new mystery snail is a boy! Boomer is a perfect name for him 😅! I think he is letting it hang out for fresh clean water to clean it! 😉 😂 😆

[@ashleighmartinez8448]

Do you happen to have any advice for a female mystery that has trouble getting around? It's like her foot doesn't function right. She twists from side to side and tries to move and her foot just doesn't "grasp" anything and she ends up curled up and gives up. She also can't turn herself over if she's upside down. I do make sure to flip her myself so she doesn't get stuck and make sure she gets food. She does this on sand and on pea gravel. My tank is established so no ammonia no nitrite and no higher than 40ppm of nitrate. I'm at a loss and just want to help her out. TIA!

[@Jestir66]

I currently have a baby snail outbreak of these guys. is there a way to control the breeding ? I used to have a shrimp tank with two snails and now i have maybe 5 shrimp and hundreds of babies that i fish out every single day. Im currently doing a full tank transfer but i dont want to kill my two big snails . Are they going to just rebreed the new tank ? should i may have to donate them to the local shop or set up a second tank just for them. Any tips ? I would prefer a million shrimp over a million snails lol

[@blindeyes9385]

I got some but first like 20 videos and looking em up online later was told they wouldn't eat any live plants and if they do it's rare these lil guys are eating all my duckweed Wich wasn't alot already as I just put it in lol hope it can grow faster than they can snack on it 😂

[@kevinwebster7868]

Why do people keep saying these things won’t eat your plants? That is completely false. Unless constantly over feed or have constant algae problems these guys will start to eat your plants. There is a huge problem with these youtubers that also sell or are sponsored by shit putting out misinformation.

[@dave60630]

hi thank you for the quick response water temp is 76 and they like cucumber slices and sometimes broccoli but wow does that smell and fish flakes

[@cay252]

Best not to add them with goldfish! To many problems with too much ammonia from the fish, they wat the food too fast. Also goldfish like to pick on them till death. So no would not add them

[@gerarduchiah5939]

I just want 1 or 2 to tickle my girl feet how safe is that? & how do you care for one without them breeding

[@allanswain2425]

This lady sounds like a female version of the guy from the action lab channel

[@elijahculper5522]

Just got my first mystery snail. Their name is “The Visitation” they are very little and I’m not sure how to tell if they’re male or female. The lady at the pet store said they were all hermaphrodites, so I started using they/them pronouns for the snail. But it’s be cool to know how to tell since they are sex specific.

[@kategonzalezmorgan7208]

Is that a tiger shrimp that keeps photobombing the video?

[@jenmqkeeper]

I love mystery snails! I just got a few more a couple weeks ago and am hoping to breed them. Do you have any tips for encouraging them to breed, aside from providing plenty of quality food, a peaceful tank, and enough humid airspace at the top? I have four in a heavily planted 10 gallon with cherry shrimp and other snails (it might be a lot of stocking, but I am watching the water quality and ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate have still been staying zero).

[@debkleinschmidt6765]

You are the first person I’ve heard say you need a male and female to breed.

[@Leon-vp3vb]

Mystery Snails are a must have for me, they are best scavengers for uneater food and turning substrate.

[@cjma482]

My mystery snails ate my anubias plant!Am I under feading? Also, are my mystery snails likely to eat my guppy grass too? Love snails!😍😍😍

[@alexrepko8412]

yes, you're underfeed them if they eat anubias. start blanching vegetables and feed them with that. they wont be able to eat guppy grass fast enough.

[@cjma482]

@@alexrepko8412 thank you!

[@tabithasanchez7983]

I have one mystery snail and get babies all the time...

[@Rose_A]

Mine ate some dead neon tetras within an hour

[@AVTV11]

What if I put river apple snail in my aquarium

[@bishopruger]

Are mystery and bladder snails one in the same?

[@juliuswicked4587]

is garlic safe to eat by apple snails?

[@CatFish107]

Yeaaaah, over the past year, I've learned that a 29long is not enough to rear an entire clutch. My daughter's room has endler/guppy hybrids, and mystery snails. Also, an apisto to help put some pressure on the endler pop.

[@CatFish107]

My favorite behavior is when a snail wanders over, or base jumps into a bubble stream, and goes flying, as though they were a swimmer.

[@jillybird1567]

Will they be okay on aqueon plant and shrimp substrate?

[@waterlover]

Love them but they always got out of my tank and when hit the floor that meant they would be for sure death in a few days

[@eskunkel]

How cold of water can they live in?

[@wingsanthings7546]

They WILL eat your plants!

[@charlenemcdaniel1941]

Hi I'm new to your channel and love it! Do you sell olive snails? Thanks

[@yamirkagarcia3088]

What happens if their antennas get eaten??

[@greghoffstadt667]

Parasnail 🤣😂🤣😂 Question though. How well do they do with live bearers? Considering doin a 55gal tank.

[@DestinyA83]

Uhm... Para-snail!? What lol

[@steverabbits]

Hi Rachel, really interesting video thanks. I would love to have some Golden Apple snails, I'm not sure if they are the same as mystery snails though? I have a 400 litre (about 105 US gallons) tank with 3 common goldfish and a shubunkin, obviously not a heated tank. Would the snails be ok and safe? I currently have 7 nerites in there, they have been fine for years but they don't have long antennae like Golden Apple snails.

[@treewitch666]

I have several different species of snails and they all live together. My huge ivory mystery snail was trying to have sex with a lava snail earlier today lol I just got my first two clutches of eggs from the mystery snails…I hope they’re ok, Thanks for info 😍

[@bellamorris7664]

“Para-snail” laughed so hard

[@TuckerWoolsey]

What substrate are they with?

[@dave60630]

my mystery snails stopped breeding same tank only with a few guppies and cory cats they are huge the ones i still have and healthy but i don't see any eggs above the water and no babies any ideas maybe buy a couple of new ones to add? thanks for your time

[@RachelOLeary]

What is their diet? What is the temp. I find that a larger water change and a few heavy feedings while still maintaining really clean water always puts them in the mood

[@ryanmomtahan4786]

My mystery snail’s antenna is bent. Anyone know if that’s good or bad?

[@RachelOLeary]

Should be fine

[@sharlannleonetti5265]

I couldn't figure out why ALL my mystery snail's shells were all broken, and fragile. I had tried almost everything, except change the temperature! ❤

[@nolasdollsandaquatics9386]

School me Girl...🤓

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

I love snails, and really miss my Nerites, but I'm put off keeping them again because the death of my last ones coincided with a stubborn ammonia spike and I'm not sure which event came first....though I do have a much bigger tank now so the chances of the water chemistry going that badly awry are much smaller. 🤔

[@broccoligirl9019]

What are fish that won't nip at the snails I know better and goldfish might not go well but what are fish that won't nip at them

[@ponylover4448]

I have about 30 mystery snails an they are in a ten gallon tank by them selves an a get clutches every now an then but I have only been able to hatch I clutch Too many different videos on that and Im not sure what I am doing wrong???

[@RachelOLeary]

Check out this one, been breeding them for over 20 years. If you search on my channel you will find countless results, but I think this one may help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4jZpYWBmJxjmMU

[@ponylover4448]

Thanks soo much and You did teach me some important things about them but I am mostly having trouble getting them to hatch or turn mildewey I am putting them in a container on wet paper towels and checking them avery few days and keeping the clutch moist Its just a challenge to get them I guess I would say Ready??

[@KewlQT]

Last week I bought a handful of Mystery snails to add to my community tank. They are still young little 🐌 but they are a unique colour of purple and blue. Problem is I have a couple of Assassin snails in there too so I had to put the mystery youngsters in a breeding net. Then once I have my 20 gal started up and cycled I will move them and my guppies in their. Earlier this year snails gave me the creeps but now I've grown to admire their beauty and personality.

[@justinh7606]

I had to get rid of them (golden apple snail), they even eat on healthy leaves of healthy anubias. Even 1 or 2 snails an a big tank can cause enough damage.No way I would put them into planted tank. Lucky you guys who have no issue with them with plants in your tank.

[@kzookid2051]

It was very interesting to watch this today, since I just found eggs from the lone bladder snail in my betta tank. It came in as eggs or a tiny snail herd with some plants I got for the betta and was the only one not immediately eaten. I thought about removing the eggs, but I'm going to wait to see if he eats those when they hatch. If they survive, they're welcome - the single snail has been working its little foot off cleaning algae. Seeing your farm tank was cool; I love the wildness of it.

[@ashleywickett9]

I started off with two apple snails at thump nail size I have had them for three years now and daddy just passed away this year, mummy is still going strong . I hatched four successful clutches of snails and also gave a lot of those away to friends and family. I put mine in my mini outdoor pond in summer and bring them in in winter. Mine eat like no tomorrow. No plant is safe with theses guys. The warmer the water and lower levels they will produce eggs colder temps and higher water reduce egg cluthches

[@robertforrest7956]

🐌What's the big Mystery about Snails....🐌 they're great to have around and don't eat your plants!! Great info Rachel. They are an interesting group of inverts. Thanks for the report Rachel.. 🙂👍

[@LavsSnails]

Mystery snails are the best snails 💜 great video a Rachel! Ty!

[@debrapage582]

Hi Rachel. Could you tell me please if it is normal for a snail not to move for a few days. I have a zebra nerite who hasn't moved for a week. I've had a sniff and he doesn't smell and there is no ammonia in the tank. Thank you.

[@spelle2237]

I’m breed som mystery snails in a ten they laided a ton of egg sacks but I haven’t seen the. Hatch it’s been about two weeks and they seem to be getting enough moisture from humidity I’m going to look up your breeding video u mentioned

[@carlapappalardo1901]

I wish I had a tank large enough to handle their bioload, they've always looked pretty cool. [I'm working my way back thru your videos that I've missed :)]

[@aurora_dawn123]

I'm gonna have to start keeping and breeding mystery snails, my turtles love snails.

[@farajaraf]

I recommend ramshorn.

[@aurora_dawn123]

I've breed ramshorn and bladder snails before, they never took off like I needed, right now I'm breeding malaysian trumpet snails, and they are doing well, but they aren't big enough for some of my turtles.

[@aurora_dawn123]

@@susieb.8126 They'd be pets, but when I have an overabundance of babies I'd start feeding them off.

[@aurora_dawn123]

@@susieb.8126 I also keep roaches, and when theirs to much, I feed some to my turtles, I'm gonna do what I'm gonna do, there's no need to argue over this, you can do what you want with your snails, I'll do what I want with mine, it's by no means animal abuse or anything wrong, so it's fine, it's just keeping a population in check, and food for other animals

[@charitysweetcharity3091]

I absolutely love my mystery snails. They have a ton of personality and they are neat to watch

[@williamneill5441]

I discovered your channel a few years ago while researching mystery snails. Cool little mollusks 🐌

[@richt4297]

You are always a wealth of knowledge. Thanx for more great content.