Mystery snails are not only famous for their vivid colors but also for their rapid growth rate. So how fast do mystery snails grow?
The answer depends on several factors. Once you figure out what they are, you can adjust the development speed of your pets.
In this article, we will cover all determinants of the snail’s growth. Let’s check our notes and apply them to your tank!
Contents
How Fast Do Mystery Snails Grow?
With enough food and proper water conditions, baby snails can develop to be 1.5 inches long in just a few months.
After that, the growth rate slows down. It may take months for the snails to reach two inches, and this rate is normal.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer because different factors affect a mystery snail’s growth rate, such as:
Mystery Snail Diet
Food must be one of the primary reasons these animals grow so fast. You speed up their growth rate when you feed them some nutritious diets.
This species loves veggies, such as kale, cuttlebone, and zucchini. Many people give them dried beans as a source of minerals and nutrients.
When there is no food left in the tank, and the snails are still hungry, they will eat aquarium waste and live plants to thrive.
For your pets to thrive in the tank, feed them a lot of food. This task is simple because you raise good eaters.
These eaters love algae, biofilms, fish flakes, and vegetables. Their sensory organs can detect the fragrance of food and rapidly draw to it.
You can feed your pets using various feeding techniques. Try placing a tray with food in the tank. Yet, do not put the bottom surface, or insects and worms will come and fight for food.
Furthermore, the snail may rush toward the dish and consume it passionately. You must regularly remove leftover food and replace it with clean water.
These animals are good eaters
Water
Water condition plays an equally important role in the development of your pets.
Experienced snail owners know how to establish a perfect habitat for their pets, giving them a lot of chances to grow.
The ideal temperature for this species to thrive is about 82°F. This temperature range can boost snail growth to the maximum, especially when combined with the right food.
Try to keep optimal pH, KH, and GH levels of around 7.0, 5, and 9 to 10, respectively. You can search for your pets’ needs and follow the instructions to give them the best water conditions.
Please don’t use any copper sources because these animals are vulnerable to copper. Copper-enriched things such as food, medication, or plants are terrible for your pet’s growth.
If you notice that your snail size increases too slowly, check for copper sources. Once you confirm that they are the causes, eliminate them immediately.
Your pets are sensitive to copper
Mystery Snail Care
These snails need an adequate supply of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to accelerate their growth and metabolism.
Moisture
This species prefers damp environments versus those that are too wet. They don’t need as much food under humid and rainy weather.
Moisture is also necessary by the bottom to stay in the usual range throughout the day and night. The humidity level in this species’ aquarium should be around 80 to 90%.
Mystery Snail Tank Mates
Snails with their tank mates have a slower development rate than those living alone. Isolating these animals in one tank and providing them with a lot of food is a standard tip for raising them.
If you put your pets with shrimp, they will fight. Shrimps are aggressive attackers of the snails and may threaten their life.
Shrimps are not friendly tank mates
Sunlight
Direct sunlight has a negative effect on the health of snails. This creature likes to live in the shadows, such as along aquarium walls, around vegetation, and among pebbles.
Calcium
The formation of a snail shell demands a lot of calcium. You can give your pet calcium from different sources like eggshell powder. All you have to do is sprinkle the powder in the tank and wait for it to dissolve.
Enjoyment
It sounds odd because these animals grow faster when they are in a good mood. So what affects their emotions?
This species requires a relaxing environment. Do not allow uneaten foods to stay in the tank for too long. They will ruin the nice water setup you have done.
Moreover, as we have mentioned, these animals like to live alone. They will get stressed when sharing their habitat with other tank mates.
How To Help Your Mystery Snails Grow Fast?
We have discussed different factors that affect your pet’s development. If you want to speed up their growth, work on those factors.
To be more specific, all you have to do should be:
- Planning nutritious, stable, and plentiful diets
- Providing ideal water conditions
- Isolating the snails from other creatures
- Allowing your pets to live in shady areas
- Keeping the environment moisture
- Supplying calcium sources for the shell to grow
On the other hand, if you feel like your pets are growing too fast, slow everything down by changing their diets. It’s not advisable to adjust the water conditions because this approach will hurt your stunning pets.
FAQs
What is the mystery snail lifespan?
Mystery snails are not typically known for their long lifespans, they can actually live for quite a while if they are well cared for.
The average lifespan of a mystery snail is 2-5 years. In the wild, mystery snails typically live for two to three years. However, in captivity, they can often live for five years or more.
In captivity, mystery snails do best in tanks with plenty of hiding places and a soft, sandy substrate. They also need access to clean, filtered water and a diet that includes plenty of algae and other plant matter.
By providing your mystery snail with suitable habitat and diet, you can help ensure a long and healthy life.
Do mystery snails breed fast?
If you’ve got a female and a male mystery snail, you can expect baby snails (called “hatchlings”) within a few weeks.
The amount of mystery snail eggs are about 30 eggs, but some mystery snails can lay up to 100 eggs at a time! The good news is that mystery snail hatchlings are completely independent from their parents, so you don’t have to worry about them being unable to care for themselves.
However, the bad news is that if you’re not careful when breeding mystery snails, the snail population can quickly get out of control. If you don’t want your tank to be overrun with baby snails, it’s important to keep an eye on your mystery snail population and remove any excess snails before they have a chance to reproduce.
Conclusion
A mystery snail can grow at a fast rate. This rate slows down when it gets older.
You can adjust its development speed by changing its living conditions, such as diets, water, moisture, or tank mates.
Do you have any questions? If yes, do not hesitate to comment in the section below. We will get back to you soon.
Thank you for reading, and see you in the next post!
Alex is a pet freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience. He attended Colorado State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, which was where he first got some experience in animal nutrition. After graduating from University, Alex began sharing his knowledge as a freelance writer specializing in pets.
