Editing Gyraulus sp.
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== About Ramshorn Snails == | == About Ramshorn Snails == | ||
| − | : | + | :These are a group of invertebrate snails that are commonly found in freshwater aquarium tanks, and can easily be brought in on live plants. These scavengers provide a useful function of breaking down decaying plant and animals. They also eat algae. |
==Alternative names== | ==Alternative names== | ||
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== Species == | == Species == | ||
| − | :Any snail of the family Planorbidae (Gyraulus sp. etc.) can be classified as a ramshorn. Many people also | + | :Any snail of the family Planorbidae (Gyraulus sp. etc.) can be classified as a ramshorn. Many people also say that the species [[Marisa cornuarietis]] is a ramshorn snail, but this is the marisa, or columbian ramshorn, much different than the common ramshorn. |
== Sexing == | == Sexing == | ||
| − | :Hermaphrodites. | + | :Hermaphrodites. will produce a great many offspring. |
== Breeding == | == Breeding == | ||
| − | :A ramshorn will normally start reproducing within 4 weeks of being born if well fed. It lays a small gelatin like patch of eggs on any surface. After 10-20 days (depending on temperature) these will hatch. The babies of red ramshorn are very tiny but identical to their parents | + | :A ramshorn will normally start reproducing within 4 weeks of being born if well fed. It lays a small gelatin like patch of eggs on any surface. After 10-20 days (depending on temperature) these will hatch. The babies of red ramshorn are very tiny but identical to their parents, they will be able to find their own food in the tank. |
==Tank compatibility== | ==Tank compatibility== | ||
| − | :Will mix with virtually any other non-predator aquatic animal. Do not keep with [[:Category:Loach|Loaches]], [[:Category:Puffer Fish (Freshwater)|Pufferfish]] | + | :Will mix with virtually any other non-predator aquatic animal. Do not keep with [[:Category:Loach|Loaches]], [[:Category:Puffer Fish (Freshwater)|Pufferfish]] or other creatures that eat snails. |
== Diet == | == Diet == | ||
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==Feeding regime== | ==Feeding regime== | ||
| − | + | :It usually feeds itself. If, say, you gave it parboiled vegetables it may take awhile to get it to eat them; they enjoy rotting food. | |
== Environment Specifics == | == Environment Specifics == | ||
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:Does '''not''' like [[salt]]. | :Does '''not''' like [[salt]]. | ||
| − | == | + | == Behaviour == |
| − | :This snail is a slow roamer and will explore all over the aquarium | + | :This snail is a slow roamer and it will explore all over the aquarium keeping under the water. The snail can not control its own internal temperature so if it is kept at the higher temperature, it will move around more quickly, but will have a shorter life span of about a year. This snail has gills so it has no need to come up to the surface to breath air, however, it can often be seen attached to the underside of the surface of the water. |
| − | :It has been noticed that these snails prefer to sit upon black or dark surfaces. | + | :It has been noticed that these snails prefer to sit upon black or dark surfaces. So they often clump together on the glass sealant if it is black or on a internal filter. |
| − | :They can also be an indicator | + | :They can also be an indicator on how well the water quality is. If you notice a number of the snails climbing out of the water then this is a good indication of [[ammonia]] or [[nitrite]] being present. |
== Identification == | == Identification == | ||
| − | :This name covers a range of species | + | :This name covers a range of species and they are called 'ramshorn' due to their shell resembling tightly coiled horns of some sheep. |
| − | : | + | :They come in a variety of colours, dark brown, black, blue, beige, red and other shades in between. |
== Special Notes == | == Special Notes == | ||
| − | :The condition of its shell shows the history of its life. So if purchasing one, look carefully at its shell. Patches of white indicates shell damage | + | :The condition of its shell shows the history of its life. So if purchasing one, look carefully at its shell. Patches of white indicates shell damage. |
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| + | :You should be aware that ramshorn snails are able to carry various parasitic flukes, which can be transmitted to fish, or humans. Most of these flukes require intermediate hosts, so that leaving the snails by themselves for a month or so will eliminate the disease. | ||
== Removing Ramshorns == | == Removing Ramshorns == | ||
| − | :Some aquarists do not like the ramshorn due to | + | :Some aquarists do not like the ramshorn due to some species of ramshorns (brown or ear snails) eating holes in their plant leaves. However, they usually only attack plants when the plants are weak or decaying, ample food source will prevent them on attacking plants. |
:There are several methods of removing snails: | :There are several methods of removing snails: | ||
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== Preventing ramshorns from entering your tank == | == Preventing ramshorns from entering your tank == | ||
:You need to soak all objects and plants with a snail killing chemical before adding to your tank. One such popular and cheap chemical for doing this is [[Potassium Permanganate]]. | :You need to soak all objects and plants with a snail killing chemical before adding to your tank. One such popular and cheap chemical for doing this is [[Potassium Permanganate]]. | ||
| − | :If you are wary of using chemicals, be sure to carefully examine new items for your tank for the tell- | + | :If you are wary of using chemicals, be sure to carefully examine new items for your tank for the tell-tail jelly-like egg sacks and remove by hand. If possible, avoiding buying décor or plants when the snails are clearly present in the tank. |
== Pictures == | == Pictures == | ||
