Breeding the mystery snail
Females lay clutches of small pale pink eggs above the waterline (needs a lid and an air gap); young hatch after 2-3 weeks and drop into the water.
Step by step
Buy 4-6 snails. Both sexes exist; keep a group.
A 40-80 L tank with a tight lid and a gap above the water. Hard, warm water of 22-26 C.
Warm water and good food. Eggs are laid above the waterline.
Clutches average 200-600 eggs; they hatch after about 2-3 weeks (faster when warm).
Young eat algae and soft veg. Mist the clutch if it is dry.
- Leaving too little air space
- Soft water
- Keeping with fish that nip
Male or female
Sexes are separate. Hold the snail upside down until it starts to come out and look into the right side of the mantle cavity: males have a large penis sheath in front of the gills; females have none.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- Good for a first breeding project.
Day-by-day plan
Typical for snails
- Day 0Egg clutch
Clutches appear on glass, plants or above the waterline.
- Day 14Hatching
Baby snails hatch in about 2–4 weeks. Too many? Feed less.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Simulator: guided
Clutches appear on glass, plants or above the waterline.
Simulator: try it yourself
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
- They spawned.
- Fry had nowhere to hide.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.