🐌 Golden Apple Snail (Pomacea spp.) – Care & Description
🟡 Description:
Golden Apple Snails are large, brightly colored freshwater snails. Their vibrant yellow shells make them popular in aquariums for both their looks and algae-eating habits. The body is typically a pale to dark gray with a siphon used for breathing air.
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Size: Up to 2.5–3 inches (6–8 cm) in shell diameter
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Color: Bright golden yellow shell, some with ivory or orange tones
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Lifespan: 1–3 years with proper care
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Origin: South America, but widely kept in aquaria worldwide
🌿 Tank Requirements:
| Parameter |
Ideal Range |
| Tank Size |
5+ gallons per snail |
| Temperature |
68–82°F (20–28°C) |
| pH |
7.0–8.0 |
| Hardness |
Moderately hard to hard (to support shell health) |
Note: A tight lid is important—they can and will crawl out of the tank!
🍽️ Diet:
Golden Apple Snails are omnivores and scavengers. They eat algae, leftover fish food, and vegetables.
Best foods:
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Blanched spinach, lettuce, zucchini
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Algae wafers
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Sinking pellets
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Occasional protein (e.g. shrimp pellets)
Avoid: Soft plants (they may eat them), copper-based medications (toxic to inverts)
🌊 Behavior & Tank Mates:
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Temperament: Peaceful
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Tank mates: Compatible with non-aggressive fish, shrimp, and other snails
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Avoid: Aggressive fish like cichlids or loaches that may nip or eat them
🐣 Breeding:
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Lay clusters of pink or white eggs above the waterline
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Separate or remove eggs if not breeding intentionally—they’re prolific
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Some species (e.g., Pomacea canaliculata) are banned in certain areas due to invasive potential
🩺 Shell Care:
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Ensure calcium in diet and water (add cuttlebone or calcium supplements)
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Monitor for shell erosion or pitting
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Avoid acidic water (low pH damages shells)
