Description
Golden Apple Snail (Pomacea canaliculata / Pomacea diffusa)
📌 Basic Info
Scientific Name: Pomacea canaliculata / Pomacea diffusa (diffusa is more common in aquariums)
Family: Ampullariidae
Origin: South America (Amazon Basin)
Size: 2 – 3 inches (5 – 7.5 cm)
Lifespan: 1 – 3 years
Tank Zone: Bottom & all surfaces (they climb glass, plants, and reach water surface to breathe)
🌊 Water Parameters
TDS: 150 – 300 ppm
pH: 7.0 – 8.0 (alkaline preferred for shell health)
Temperature: 20 – 28°C (68 – 82°F)
Hardness: 6 – 15 dGH
🐌 Characteristics
Recognized for their large, round golden-yellow shells.
Have a siphon (tube) to breathe air at the surface.
Peaceful and active grazers, often climbing decorations and glass.
Lay eggs above the waterline (pink or light-colored clusters).
Popular for aquariums due to their bright color and algae-cleaning ability.
🍽️ Food
Type: Omnivorous.
Diet: Algae, leftover fish food, blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach, lettuce), algae wafers, calcium-rich foods.
Feeding: Supplement diet if algae is low.
🛠️ Maintenance
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons (per snail).
Filtration: Gentle filter; they dislike very strong currents.
Decor: Plants, driftwood, smooth rocks, and surfaces for grazing.
Water Change: 25–30% weekly; avoid sudden changes.
👥 Social Behavior
Minimum Group Size: Can live alone or in groups (peaceful).
Tank Mates: Guppies, Mollies, Tetras, Shrimp, Corydoras, other peaceful fish.
Avoid: Loaches, Pufferfish, and Assassin Snails (predators).
✅ Do’s
Provide calcium (cuttlebone or supplements) for shell growth.
Keep a lid on the tank – they may crawl out.
Maintain good water quality.
❌ Don’ts
Don’t keep with snail-eating species.
Don’t allow water to get too acidic (damages shell).
Don’t overstock – they produce a lot of waste.
⭐ Quick Tips
Bright, attractive snail that stands out in aquariums.
Excellent at cleaning algae and leftover food.
Beginner-friendly but needs calcium and stable water.
