Pomacea canaliculata

Alternative names

 * Giant Brown Apple Snail, Canas Snail, Channeled Apple Snail

Sexing

 * Similar to the method used for the Apple Snail species Pomacea bridgesii Difficult, these are NOT hermaphroditic snails. Female grows faster than the male at first. In male snails the shell opening tends to be larger and rounder, due to the penial complex (easier to see in large numbers). It is easier to estimate the sex by looking inside the shell opening to see the penial complex. This will not be visible in females. Just take the snail out of the water and keep it upside down. The snail will stretch its foot out (as if it is trying to flip over). Once it has extended out to a point, if you look to the right of the mantle, you should see a large penis sheath in front of the gills. In a female snail the sheath will be absent.

Tank compatibility

 * A peaceful large snail, will not bother tank inhabitants. However, do not keep with aggressive fish such as Loaches or Puffer Fish.

Diet

 * Will eat aquatic plants, so do not keep in a planted tank.

Feeding regime

 * How often to feed, etc.

Environment Specifics

 * In the home aquarium: 7+pH, high levels of calcium, 1" clearance at the top of the tank ( If trying to breed.), Any traces of copper or copper compounds will kill them.

Behavior

 * Peaceful, will not attack any tank-mates other than plants, usually only if food is scarce.

Identification

 * This is one of the largest freshwater snails in the world. It's shell is smooth, round and relatively heavy. It has 5-6 whorls and is coloured from yellow, brown or green. The wild form has dark spiral bands. Pomacea canaliculata group: indented sutures, less than 90°angle.

This shell is more globose (rounder) than the Pomacea bridgesii shell.