Post by metaphysicalninja on Nov 25, 2010 17:36:52 GMT
www.snailsandtails.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=care&action=display&thread=22
Right-o, now then.
Everything here is from what I have heard or what I have myself found with my group. I am currently keeping a breeding group of some 200 snails.
Subulina Octana are a tiny Brazilian species, rarely reaching even a inch long. They are however very active and a very interesting snail. Their long and very thin, and are very good climbers.
Here's my set up:
And a shot for scale - there's adults in this one
So, on to the care.
Housing
What they can live in entirely depends on the number you have. I used to keep the original 7 in a cricket tub, which was plenty big enough. Now, they live in a box which is almost the same size as the 50L RUB's. They do not need extra heating, and a room temperature of around 22-25*C is fine for them. Mine however do currently have heating and it does seem to affect their reproductive rate. I do not recommend under tank heating because they do bury the eggs and this may result in overheating them.
Feeding
One of the easiest snails I've kept to feed, they will eat anything, and are not bothered by food which is getting a bit old. Because of their size, large food items can take some time to be finished, and they leave a odd effect on the food, creating lots of tiny holes as they chew their way through the foods.
Substrate
I keep mine on coir, as I do with all my snails. Octana seem to do best in a drier set up than most snails, and I rarely add moisture to the enclosure. They burrow a lot, so provide ample depth for them to do so in. I keep the substrate moist enough that it will *nearly* clump when squeezed, but not quite so.
Breeding
When conditions are correct, they can be very prolific. They lay small clutches regularly in moss or underground. The young are tiny, pin prick sized, so be careful when making airholes if using a plastic box as housing. I have found they are less likely to climb up and out holes in the top of the tank or tub than anywhere else. A very fine mesh over any airholes is something I have been meaning to try as a means to ensure no escapees, but it is not something I have actually got round to doing yet.
If I've missed anything, or any Q's, give us a shout and I'll post it up
Right-o, now then.
Everything here is from what I have heard or what I have myself found with my group. I am currently keeping a breeding group of some 200 snails.
Subulina Octana are a tiny Brazilian species, rarely reaching even a inch long. They are however very active and a very interesting snail. Their long and very thin, and are very good climbers.
Here's my set up:
And a shot for scale - there's adults in this one
So, on to the care.
Housing
What they can live in entirely depends on the number you have. I used to keep the original 7 in a cricket tub, which was plenty big enough. Now, they live in a box which is almost the same size as the 50L RUB's. They do not need extra heating, and a room temperature of around 22-25*C is fine for them. Mine however do currently have heating and it does seem to affect their reproductive rate. I do not recommend under tank heating because they do bury the eggs and this may result in overheating them.
Feeding
One of the easiest snails I've kept to feed, they will eat anything, and are not bothered by food which is getting a bit old. Because of their size, large food items can take some time to be finished, and they leave a odd effect on the food, creating lots of tiny holes as they chew their way through the foods.
Substrate
I keep mine on coir, as I do with all my snails. Octana seem to do best in a drier set up than most snails, and I rarely add moisture to the enclosure. They burrow a lot, so provide ample depth for them to do so in. I keep the substrate moist enough that it will *nearly* clump when squeezed, but not quite so.
Breeding
When conditions are correct, they can be very prolific. They lay small clutches regularly in moss or underground. The young are tiny, pin prick sized, so be careful when making airholes if using a plastic box as housing. I have found they are less likely to climb up and out holes in the top of the tank or tub than anywhere else. A very fine mesh over any airholes is something I have been meaning to try as a means to ensure no escapees, but it is not something I have actually got round to doing yet.
If I've missed anything, or any Q's, give us a shout and I'll post it up
