Apple Snail Transportation

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I have a question about when I clean the fish tank where do I put my Apple Snails and also how long should I wait until I put them back in with the fish after everything is clean. Also, when I transfer the Apple Snails in the bowl for them to wait until the tank is clean do I also use the water conditioner drops? I use the NovAqua for my fish, should I for my snails as well?



ANSWER: Hi Hilary,

You shouldn't be removing your snails or fish to clean your tank.  Removing them causes stress and can induce temp and pH shock when replacing them.  You can use a magnet cleaner for the walls of the tank (or your hand), you can take the plants and decos out and clean them off in a bucket full of water that came out of the tank with a clean new toothbrush and you can syphon the gravel to clean it with the gravel vacuum hoses they sell at any petstore.  

You never ever want to remove anything that lives in the tank during this.  It can be so harmful and shocking for them.  Most of the fish will swim away from you when you are doing this and hide in the opposite corner.  The snails you can just move to the other side of the tank.  I have 4 tanks ranging in size from 5 gallons to 120 gallons and none of the aquaria ever has to be removed.

Good luck : ) April M.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok, thank you for responding to me so quickly. I have one more question as of right now. I also have a huge fish bowl and have Apple Snails in them. When I have to change the water then what do you suggest. I don't want them falling down the drain :( I know that Apple Snails should not be in a bowl, but they are doing great, get good nutrition it's just the cleaning I worry about.

Answer
Hi Hilary,

I would consider investing in at least a 5 gallon hex tank with a built in filter.  You can get one for about $29 at any Walmart.  You can also get a cheapy 10 gallon set up as well for a few dollars more.  This would be much more appropriate for the snails and also would allow you to clean without fear of making a mess or dropping them down the drain.

In the meantime, if you have a bucket that you use exclusively for aquria, I would transfer the old water and snails into there, clean out the bowl and replace with new water and the conditioner and then replace the snails.

Good luck : ) April M.