How Do Golden Apple Snails Reproduce? A Complete Guide to Breeding Methods and Tips
The scientific name of the golden apple snail is Pomacea canaliculata, also known as the channeled apple snail or apple snail. In 1984, the apple snail was widely promoted in Guangdong Province as a special breeding species, and was soon artificially introduced to Guangxi, Fujian, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang and other places. So, how do golden apple snails reproduce?
1. How golden apple snails reproduce
Golden apple snails reproduce by laying eggs. They are dioecious (separate sexes). In the Xishuangbanna region, they begin laying eggs in mid-March, and reach sexual maturity in only 2 to 3 months. Fertilization is internal; the female and male snails twist together to mate, and mating lasts 2 to 5 h. If they are touched or disturbed during mating, they will stop immediately.
2. Living habits of golden apple snails
Apple snails like to live in fresh water with clean water quality and abundant food. They often gather in groups in shallow water areas at the edge of ponds, or attach to the stems and leaves of aquatic plants, or float on the water surface, and can leave the water to live briefly. The most suitable water temperature for growth is 25 to 32°C. Above 35°C, the growth rate drops noticeably. The highest critical water temperature for survival is 45°C, and the lowest critical water temperature is 5°C. Apple snails have a wide diet and are omnivorous snails that mainly feed on plant-based food. They mainly eat duckweed, vegetables, melons and fruits, and especially like sweet-tasting food; they also like to eat decaying animal flesh in the water. When there is not much food left, they will eat tiny substances floating on the water surface (turning their bodies upside down and using their feet to move and gather food). Although apple snails are a type of aquatic mollusk, they can bury themselves in moist mud during dry seasons and survive for 6 to 8 months. Once floods break out or irrigation occurs, they can become active again. The breathing tube of adult snails can extend to 5 to 10 cm long or longer.