Mystery Snail Care Guide

Pink mystery snail egg clutch on a plant stem above the water

Quick answer

Mystery snails want a lidded tank of 5 gallons or more, water around 68 to 82°F with a pH of 7 or higher, a steady supply of calcium, and food beyond algae: sinking pellets, blanched vegetables and leftovers. They live about a year, sometimes two.

At a glance
Scientific name	Pomacea diffusa
Adult size	About 2 inches
Temperature	68 to 82°F
pH	7.0 to 8.0
Hardness	Moderate to hard (GH 8+)
Lifespan	About 1 to 2 years
Diet	Algae, leftovers, pellets, vegetables

Setting up the tank

Use a tank of at least 5 gallons with a tight lid. Mystery snails climb out, and they need a gap of an inch or two between the water and the lid to breathe air and lay eggs. A cycled filter matters more than the size; snails are sensitive to ammonia like any animal.

Food and calcium

Algae alone will not feed a mystery snail. Offer sinking pellets or wafers a few times a week, plus blanched zucchini, spinach or cucumber. Shells are made of calcium, so soft or acidic water causes pitting and cracks. Crushed coral in the filter, a cuttlebone, or calcium rich foods help.

Eggs and breeding

Mystery snails have separate sexes. A female lays a pink clutch above the waterline. If you do not want babies, simply remove the clutch. If you do, keep it moist and it will hatch in two to four weeks.

Why some states say no

Apple snails as a group are watched closely because some relatives damage crops and wetlands. Arizona, Maine and Georgia restrict them, so we do not ship mystery snails there. Never release any snail into the wild.

Questions

Is my mystery snail dead?

Snails often sit still or close up for a day. Smell is the best test: a dead snail smells very strong. A closed trapdoor usually means it is alive.

Will mystery snails eat my plants?

Healthy, well fed mystery snails rarely touch healthy plants. They prefer soft, dying leaves.

Sources

General hobby guidance. Check your state's rules and never release aquarium animals into the wild.