Mystery Snails
The mystery snail or apple snail gets its name from its peculiar breeding habits. The fact that it needs a dry area upon which to spawn, coupled with the fact that the developing embryos need dry spaces to develop, makes breeding very difficult in the ordinary aquarium.
They only lay their eggs out of the water.
The mystery snails are not dioecious and are extremely valuable in tanks where infusoria is required in quantity. In the process of digesting the greens that should be provided for the infusoria as well as the snails, the mystery snail excretes organic matter that serves as excellent food to the infusoria protozoa. These snails should not be placed in a spawning tank until the young have hatched, as they eat fish eggs.
Unless they are provided with a substantial diet of greens, the mysteries may attack growing plants, so it is wise always to keep a piece of lettuce in the tank.
