Apple Snail

About

The apple snail (Pomacea diffusa) is a large, slow-moving freshwater snail native to the Amazon basin of South America, and one of the more personable invertebrates available in the hobby. It reaches one and a half to three inches across the shell and comes in a wide range of selectively bred color morphs including gold, ivory, blue, purple, magenta, and jade, making it a popular choice for display tanks. In the wild it inhabits still and slow-moving waters, grazing on decaying plant matter and algae. In the aquarium it behaves the same way, methodically working over surfaces and substrate for food while leaving healthy live plants largely alone. Keepers occasionally spot it extending a long breathing siphon to the water surface, a normal behavior made possible by its dual respiratory system. Two things catch new owners off guard: the snail's complete sensitivity to copper, which is present in many common fish medications and some tap water treatments, and its tendency to climb out of open tanks. A secure lid and a calcium source such as cuttlebone or crushed coral are both non-negotiable for keeping this species long-term. It is frequently and incorrectly sold or labeled as Pomacea canaliculata, an invasive species; P. diffusa is the legally traded hobby snail.