Can I Buy Mystery Snails in My State? Arizona, Maine and Georgia

Why mystery snails are treated differently

Mystery snails belong to the apple snail family, Ampullariidae, and the genus Pomacea. The mystery snail itself is a peaceful aquarium favorite. But some of its close relatives, especially the channeled and island apple snails, have caused real damage where they were released: they eat crops and wetland plants and they breed fast. The US Geological Survey tracks apple snails as nonindigenous species, and the US Department of Agriculture regulates moving some of them.

Because the species can be hard to tell apart, some states restrict the whole group instead of naming one species at a time.

Arizona

Arizona's live wildlife rules list all species of the genus Pomacea as restricted. Keeping a restricted animal generally takes a special license, and ordinary aquarium buyers do not have one. So we do not ship mystery snails to Arizona addresses.

Georgia

Georgia's aquatic nuisance species rules make it unlawful to possess live Pomacea apple snails, along with some other snails. Georgia gave aquarium keepers a transition period that has ended. We do not ship mystery snails to Georgia.

Maine

Maine takes a different approach. Instead of listing banned animals, it keeps a list of unrestricted species that people may buy and keep without a permit. Animals not on that list need a permit or are not allowed. Mystery snails are not something we can confirm as unrestricted there, so we do not ship them to Maine.

What our shop does

When your shipping address is in Arizona, Maine or Georgia, our cart will not let you check out with mystery snails, and our starter bundle with mystery snails is blocked too. Every other snail we sell can still ship to you. If a rule changes, we will update this page and the shop.

We are not lawyers, and this page is general information. Rules change, cities and counties can add their own, and it is your job to know the rules where you live. When in doubt, call your state wildlife agency.

The best swaps

• For algae: olive nerites or zebra nerites. They do the algae job better than mystery snails and do not breed in fresh water.
• For a big, slow, fun snail: chocolate or gold rabbit snails. They are large, have charming droopy faces and clean the sand bed. They need warm, hard water.
• For leftovers: rabbit snails and nerites together cover most of what a mystery snail would do.

Never release aquarium snails

Whatever state you live in, never put aquarium snails, plants or water into a pond, creek or storm drain. That is how invasive snails spread. If you cannot keep a snail, give it to another hobbyist or a local fish store.

Checking your own state

If you live outside Arizona, Maine and Georgia, it is still worth a quick check before you buy. Search for your state wildlife or natural resources agency and look for a page on aquatic invasive species, nuisance species or live wildlife possession. Many states publish a list of prohibited or restricted animals. Look for the words apple snail, Ampullariidae or Pomacea. If you see them, call the agency and ask whether aquarium mystery snails are included. Rules can also change after a new invasive snail is found in a state, so a rule that did not exist last year may exist now.

If you move to one of these states with mystery snails you already own, ask the state agency what to do. Do not release them. A local fish store or hobby club in a state where they are allowed may be able to take them.

Why we follow the strictest reading

We would rather lose a sale than send a snail somewhere it is not allowed. Shipping an animal into a state that restricts it can put the buyer at risk, not just the seller. That is why our shop blocks mystery snails for these three states instead of leaving it up to each buyer to know the rule. Our nerite snails are a good fit for most people who came looking for mystery snails to clean algae, and our rabbit snails are a good fit for people who wanted a large, slow, charming snail to watch.

Questions

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