Mystery Snail
Pomacea bridgesii
Minimum Tank
10 Gallons
Adult Size
2 inches
Temperature
68-84°F (20-29°C)
pH Range
7.0-8.0
Lifespan
2 years
About Mystery Snail
The mystery snail is a large, colorful freshwater snail from the rivers and wetlands of South America, popular for its attractive shell colors and entertaining behavior. Varieties include gold, blue, ivory, magenta, and wild-type brown, with shells that can grow to the size of a golf ball. Mystery snails are active, engaging aquarium inhabitants that cruise around the tank using their long siphon tube to breathe at the surface while remaining submerged. They are known for their amusing habit of deliberately dropping from the glass or decorations to float down through the water column. Unlike many snail species, mystery snails reproduce through egg clutches laid above the water line, giving keepers control over population management.
Care Requirements
Tank Setup
- • Minimum 10-gallon tank required
- • Temperature: 68-84°F (20-29°C)
- • pH: 7.0 - 8.0
- • Category: Snail
Diet & Feeding
- • Diet type: Omnivore
- • Feed 1-2 times daily
- • Varied diet recommended
Tank Mate Compatibility
Compatible With
Avoid Keeping With
Care Tips
Expert Tips
Mystery snails need a tank with at least 5 gallons per snail, with hard, alkaline water at 68-82°F and a pH above 7.0 for healthy shell growth. Supplement their diet with calcium through cuttlebone, calcium blocks, or blanched vegetables like kale and spinach. They are omnivorous scavengers that eat algae, leftover food, and decaying plant matter, but should be supplemented with algae wafers and blanched vegetables. Mystery snails lay clutches of pink eggs above the water line, so leave some space between the water surface and the lid. If you do not want baby snails, simply remove egg clutches. They are sensitive to copper and acidic water that erodes their shells.
Quick Facts
38L
Min Tank (10gal)
5cm
Adult Size (2")
2yr
Lifespan
1+
Can Keep Solo
Build Your Perfect Community Tank
Find compatible tankmates for your Mystery Snail
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Tank Mates for Mystery Snail
Species from our database with overlapping water parameters, compatible temperaments and a realistic shared tank size.
Blue Velvet Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var.
easy · 5+ gal
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
easy · 5+ gal
Least Killifish
Heterandria formosa
easy · 5+ gal
Clown Killifish
Epiplatys annulatus
moderate · 5+ gal
Similar Care Level
Other easy-care species that suit a comparable setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size tank does a Mystery Snail need?
A Mystery Snail needs a minimum tank size of 10 gallons (38 litres).
What water parameters does a Mystery Snail need?
Mystery Snail thrive in water between 68-84°F (20-29°C) with a pH of 7.0-8.0.
Are Mystery Snail easy to care for?
Mystery Snail are considered easy to care for. They are peaceful fish with a lifespan of about 2 years.
How big do Mystery Snail get and what do they eat?
Mystery Snail reach about 2 inches and are omnivores. Mystery snails need a tank with at least 5 gallons per snail, with hard, alkaline water at 68-82°F and a pH above 7.0 for healthy shell growth. Supplement their diet with calcium through cuttlebone, calcium blocks, or blanched vegetables like kale and spinach. They are omnivorous scavengers that eat algae, leftover food, and decaying plant matter, but should be supplemented with algae wafers and blanched vegetables. Mystery snails lay clutches of pink eggs above the water line, so leave some space between the water surface and the lid. If you do not want baby snails, simply remove egg clutches. They are sensitive to copper and acidic water that erodes their shells.