Large Japanese Trapdoor Snail

Japanese trapdoor is a name used in the aquarium hobby only for what are likely japanese mystery snails cipangopaludina japonica.
Large japanese trapdoor snail. To have a positive effect on algae growth a minimum of 10 snails per 50 square feet is necessary. Based on annual growth rings winter and summer rings various biologists have estimated its lifespan as 3 10 years. They are also known by the name chinese mystery snails. Large natural ponds would require at least 200 snails per acre to be effective.
The wide range of reported life spans is a result of different. These are small and hardy animals which makes them very forgiving to the kind of conditions in the tank. Japanese trapdoor snails are big snails. One of the more interesting freshwater snails to keep are japanese trapdoor snails.
In addition japanese trapdoor snails will spend hours on end scouring the tank for uneaten food as well as other edible material. Imperial tropicals 12 large 1 2 1 japanese trapdoor snails viviparus malleattus great for getting rid of algae in ponds. Japanese trapdoor snails japanese trapdoor snails small quantities of trapdoor snails are bagged are sent from our nursery in the same box as the bags of pond plants large bulk quantities are sent separate from our fishery. They are often seen on the leaves of plants eating the.
The chinese mystery snail black snail or trapdoor snail cipangopaludina chinensis is a large freshwater snail with gills and an operculum an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family viviparidae. Mystery snails have a more rounded shell shape and fewer whorls 3 4 which are smaller and more compressed together. The japanese variety of this species is black and usually a dark green moss like alga covers the shell. Citation needed the name trapdoor snail refers the operculum an oval corneous plate.
Minimum order of 10. Japanese trapdoor snails are live bearing and only breed twice a year. Japanese trapdoor snails pond snails viviparous malleatus are algae eaters feeding on the hairy algae that often grows in spring and summer. Japanese trapdoor snails are named for their operculum which is a tough plate that protects the snail by forming a seal at the edge of the snail s shell when its soft body is retracted inside.
They will not over reproduce and become a nuisance like egg laying snails. Trapdoor pond snails save in bulk quantity a beneficial and interesting addition to your water garden or pond. 4 3 out of 5 stars 79 24 99 24. Japanesetrapdoor snails will spend hours moving slowly across the bottom of the pond eating algae dead plant material and leftovers from fish pellets or fish food.
This snail has a reputation of being a very tranquil non aggressive soft algae eater. Like most snails this species is extremely low maintenance and won t require any special attention. They can grow to a maximum size of around 5 7 cm 2 3 inches. These snails shells are spiral.
These large freshwater snails are quite unusual looking yet very attractive varying in coloration and patterns. Japanese trapdoor snail care. Japanese trapdoor snail care is pretty darn easy.