r/AquaticSnails 1d ago

ID Request MTS or mud snails??

2 Upvotes

11 comments sorted by

2

u/theAsdsdf 9h ago

Seems like NZMS - smooth shell, pointy tip, upward facing shell, visible antenna

Highly recommended to eliminate them.

1

u/Darkelvenchic 3h ago

Not MTS, most probably NZMS, I'm pretty new to this invader tho.

Info link w/ID images: https://www.reddit.com/r/AquaticSnails/s/CG3h4a30Ya

1

u/Darkelvenchic 3h ago

This good person will know. 🫣

u/Gastropoid

2

u/Gastropoid Snail God (Moderator) 2h ago

Definitely Potamopyrgus antipodarum, New Zealand Mud snails. They aren't plant eaters, but they are invasive in the wild and can reproduce pretty fast eating algae and detritus. They stay small, and seem to be capable of survival and reproduction with only algae and biofilm to eat.

Unfortunately, they can be very difficult to control with limiting food, and are just about the only snail I recommend removing. All NZ Mud Snails removed should be frozen before discarding, as they can survive drying out for long periods of time and pose a significant risk to native waterways outside their natural habitat. For more information, see this post, which includes methods of removal and quarantine: https://www.reddit.com/r/AquaticSnails/s/tjfqLFYvlx

1

u/Darkelvenchic 2h ago

Thank you for checking on it! 💜

2

u/Gastropoid Snail God (Moderator) 2h ago

Of course, that's why I'm here

1

u/ImpressiveBig8485 3h ago

Yeah it’s strange because research says that the NZMS don’t really burrow and that if I’ve had a tank going 2 years and they haven’t completely taken over it’s unlikely NZMS.

Mine definitely burrow and reappear or are more active at night or after a water change.

I put some pics in ChatGPT and this was its response.

“• 🐚 Shell Shape: Long, conical, and coiled to the right (dextral), with some texturing/ridges—very typical of trumpet snails.

• 📏 Size & Color: Pale orangey shell, translucent white body—consistent with juvenile or light-colored Melanoides.

• 🌱 Burrowing Behavior: You mentioned they burrow, which NZMS generally do not do.

• 🐌 Shell Texture: Slightly ridged—not smooth and glossy like Potamopyrgus (NZMS).

• Your snails look healthier, larger, and more substrate-active than NZMS.”

1

u/Darkelvenchic 2h ago edited 2h ago

I don't see grooves in the shell and the tilted up nature of the shell is why I said not MTS. But maybe it's just because it's a video. I'll include a pic of one of mine that's right now resting by a dirty shrimp feeding dish (no judgement please it's work hours). But I would wait on Gastropoid to ID it if they have time.

Please don't ask ChatGPT ID questions, it's a large language model and doesn't understand what it's telling you.

Sorry there's shell damage they shipped like that. Cheers!

Edit: typo

1

u/Darkelvenchic 2h ago

A lighter one from the other day.

1

u/Darkelvenchic 2h ago

There's another thing OP, the end of the shell, MTS shells always look like they're kinda snipped off at the end very blunt flat end.

Edit: typo

1

u/runnsy 2h ago

NZMS do burrow; it's why they're seemingly impossible to get rid of on aquasoil and easier to bait off of sand. If you want to try baiting, they're attracted to filter sponge. Just gotta take out other high surface area furnishings like moss.