Zebra Apple Snail

The zebra apple snail is a small apple snail species from South America. The dark spiral bands on its yellowish to light brown shell give it its name; as an adult it stays at around 2–3 cm. Because it does not belong to the genus Pomacea, it is not covered by the EU's Pomacea ban. Unlike Pomacea species, it lays its eggs underwater in gelatinous clusters. Even so, it must never be released into the wild.

• 30 liters or more for a few individuals; a fine sand substrate it can burrow into.
• 24–27°C, pH 7 or higher, moderately hard to hard water; calcium for the shell.
• A lid is recommended; it can climb to the water surface and over the top of the glass.
• Avoid products containing copper.

Omnivorous. It eats leftover food, sinking tablets, frozen bloodworms, blanched vegetables and carrion. It is reported to eat the eggs of other snails and to go after weak or dead snails.

Peaceful toward fish and shrimp; it usually leaves healthy plants alone. During the day it often stays buried in the sand and emerges when it smells food.

Good companions: peaceful community fish, shrimp, corydoras.

Avoid: small snail species you want to breed, snail-eating fish (clown loach, pufferfish), crayfish.