Data sheet bubble snails
German name:
bubble snails
Scientific name:
Physa sp.
Aquarium
Length:
at least 60 x 30 cm
Contents:
from 50 liters
water values
Temperature:
4 to 33°C
pH:
to 8.5
GH:
until 22
CH:
3+
Behave
propagation:
rapid, can quickly become a nuisance
Lining:
Omnivores, algae, scum, dead plants, autumn leaves, vegetables, forage (nettles), fish food, snail food
Behave:
lively, peaceful
age expectation:
not known
© Mario Brown
Bubble snails, often nubpi called, belong to the family of Basommatophora
aquatic snails) in the order Pulmonata (lung snails).
They take in air from the water surface and store it in their mantle cavity.
When they are under water, they get oxygen from it.
Some species also have secondary gills.
There are around 80 species worldwide that can hardly be distinguished from one another. A reliable determination often only succeeds on the prepared animal, when examining the genitals.
The shape and color of the shell vary greatly within the species and cannot be used to distinguish between species.
In nature, the snails live in plants of slow-flowing and standing water. They are easy to care for, robust and undemanding and can cope with almost all water parameters.
Bladder snails as fish food
But for many fish, the bladder snails are also a tasty snack between meals. So if you have far too many of them, you can simply crush them with your finger and allow your fish to eat them.
Some fish species also learn very quickly how to suck the snails out of their shells, for example dwarf cichlids and cichlids like to eat the bladder snails.
Some fish, like puffer fish, also absolutely need snails to feed themselves healthily.
In such a case, you can also breed the bubble snails with their pretty marbled shell in larger jars on the windowsill. But even in such a vessel, they need a few plants and regular water changes to feel comfortable.
Active tank residents
The animals are amazing for snails nimble and agile. They don’t just crawl on the ground, they “Float” on slime threads through the entire tank. In addition, they detach themselves from the ground in case of danger and hit with their feet. Thanks to the drive, they roll themselves out of the danger zone.
You can often watch the lively fellows doing it upside down on the water surface hang. They like to eat the scum from the surface.
In the aquarium
Young animals or eggs often hang from newly purchased aquatic plants. They are so tiny that you can hardly see them.
Once the harmless mollusks have established themselves in the tank, they are pretty to look at, interesting to watch and make yourself useful. Fish food that has sunk to the bottom, algae growth or dead plant parts, bladder snails destroy everything and keep the aquarium clean. Aquatic plants are not disturbed.
The animals can already be used during the break-in period of a new tank.
In the pond
The animals feel comfortable in the garden pond. Is the pond deeper than 80 cm and does not freeze completely in winter, they can hibernate there.
Too many bubble snails?
The mollusks are a perfect live food for crabs, long arm shrimp and carnivorous fish, especially puffer fish.
The predators usually do not catch all snails, a small population survives and reproduces again.
Note: Please do not buy any fish that eat snails because of a snail plague – often these cannot be kept in a species-appropriate manner (when the snail plague is over)
Look
The animals will no larger than 1 cm.
The case is transparent, her spotted coat webbing can be seen underneath.
Characteristic is their left-handed shell, the long thread-like feelers and the pointed, narrow foot. In these characteristics, they differ from the mud snails, with which they are often confused.
In some species, the secondary gills hang over the shell as fringed lobes.
Feed & Nutrition
If there are fish and plants in the tank, the snails do not need to be fed additionally. The food residues and microorganisms and algae on the plants and discs are sufficient for them.
They even extract nutrients from fish feces.
If the snails are bred separately as live food, they will accept commercially available fish food or vegetables.
breeding and reproduction
The young are sexually mature at the age of 6 to 8 weeks. you are hermaphrodite each animal can lay 50 to 100 eggs in a week. In the event that there is no sexual partner, they can store sperm or fertilize their own eggs themselves. No wonder they multiply at breakneck speed!
If the animals get less food, this slows down egg production a little. The elongated, transparent egg packets are glued to plants, stones or panes. The parents don’t bother about it. After a few days, the young hatch.
socialization
The animals can be socialized with all non-snail-eating water inhabitants.
- Socialization with fish: all non-predatory fish
- Socialization with shrimp: all shrimp that do not eat snails
- Socialization with other snail species in the aquarium: no predatory snails