Feeder snails, (Haplotrema minimum)

[nirotorin]

Just started a culture of these guys. I've been finding them in good numbers whenever I go out looking for leaf litter, isopods, rocks, or whatever. Figured since I find so many out in nature that they might reproduce well for me. Their shells are thin,easily crushed between fingers if you're not careful. Probably a decent source of calcium. They grow to be a little bit smaller than a dime. The info I've been able to find on them says that they feed mostly on vegetation, and also other snails ( apparently for the calcium in their shells). I always find them in groups, so I imagine cannibalism isn't much of an issue. I have them on a substrate of dirt, leaf litter, and rotting wood. Been feeding them thinly sliced cucumbers, and romaine lettuce. Planning on giving them some cuttle bone soon. I've got about two dozen of them now. Planning on gathering some more soon. I can't wait until they start reproducing.

[Mentat]

Snails are a stage host and parasite vector for amphibians . Strongly recommend you don't feed them to your pets and ensure there is no possible contact through handling or maintenance equipment. Good luck !

[nirotorin]

Are you sure that applies to these snails? They are a species of small land snail. The information I read about snails giving frogs parasites referred to aquatic species.

[mpmistr]

I wouldn't think that digesting snail shells on a continual basis would be healthy for a captive frog, also parasites.

[demon amphibians]

If you could culture them yourself they would make a perfect diet for your frogs. Yes wild caught snails do carry parasites like many other wild caught bugs. They have no problem digesting the shell and it is a very good source of calcium. snails have a nutritional value comparable to earth worms. The only problem i can see as far as snails goes are the parasites they may carry. What i would do is when laid remove the eggs from the parents bin and place them in a seperate bin of their own. This will reduce the risk of parasites, snails gain calcium from the plants they eat so of course keep using romain lettuce, and other green leaf plants.

[mpmistr]

Wouldn't the digestibility of snails really also be dependent on the species of frog though?

[poison]

If you could culture them yourself they would make a perfect diet for your frogs. Yes wild caught snails do carry parasites like many other wild caught bugs. They have no problem digesting the shell and it is a very good source of calcium. snails have a nutritional value comparable to earth worms. The only problem i can see as far as snails goes are the parasites they may carry. What i would do is when laid remove the eggs from the parents bin and place them in a seperate bin of their own. This will reduce the risk of parasites, snails gain calcium from the plants they eat so of course keep using romain lettuce, and other green leaf plants.

100% agree.

Snails are very easy to breed. The only downsside it the poop a LOT. So I highly suggest a bio-active setup for these guys.

[poison]

Wouldn't the digestibility of snails really also be dependent on the species of frog though?

The only reason the species of froh would matter is because some species of frogs are not strong enough to crack the shell or not big enough to eat the shell hole. Though you can just feed a smaller shell. Snail shells are mainly made of calcium carbonate which is digestible.

[demon amphibians]

well said poison! I could not have said it better myself. snails are a main diet for a few of the largest species of frogs in the world. If someone does have a good method of breeding snails large or small, please fill me in.

[demon amphibians]

100% agree.

Snails are very easy to breed. The only downsside it the poop a LOT. So I highly suggest a bio-active setup for these guys.

Easy breed Isopods with them.

[poison]

Easy breed Isopods with them.

The thing is, they poop all over the walls and and lid. Isopds can't climb up to it. I guess you can just whipe it down once it builds up.

[nirotorin]

The shell of this species is very thin. I imagine even something like a green tree frog could crack, or digest the shell. I'm keeping a few juvenile giant canyon isopods, and small millipedes with the snails to help clean. I'll be cleaning the snail container myself as well from time to time. However this species really doesn't seem to produce as much waste as some other snails.

Removing the eggs is a great idea. That way I can have a little more confidence in using them as feeders.

[demon amphibians]

The thing is, they poop all over the walls and and lid. Isopds can't climb up to it. I guess you can just whipe it down once it builds up.

I didnt think about that part. well guess it will be a messy job. But regardless i think it will be worth it. It is hard to come across feeders with as good nutrional value as snails.

[nirotorin]

Exactly, and the more variety the better they always say.

[theblackfrog2013]

Will they work with pdfs

Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk 2

[nirotorin]

If they're newly hatched possibly, but I wouldn't risk it.

[theblackfrog2013]

Any update on these snails ad feeders. Id like to try with my red bellies

0:0:3 citronella
0:0:3 french guyana
0:0:3 alanis
1:0:1 patricia
1:0:3 fire bellies

[nirotorin]

Yeah, they breed pretty well in captivity. However nothing really cares to eat them. They move too slowly to catch most species attention, and then they're also just hard enough to deter most herps. They might work with tribs, small caiman lizards, or tegus, but I'm not sure about much else.

[theblackfrog2013]

Thanks for the insight

Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk

[Randy]

I recently purchased some feeder fish for my AFCs ,.seem along with them i got some snails( not by my choice but obviously some eggs were in there) . the AFCs got fatter lol and the snails are thriving .I use a canister filter and a under gravel which keeps my tank quite fresh and balanced along with regular water changes, and cleaning of the under gravel filter . My canister filter has a uv light .I also feed the frogs shrimp and some tubiflex as a treat .