Pomacea bridgesii
Display snail in golden, ivory, blue, black, and magenta varieties. Personable, active, and large enough to count as a feature animal. Confirm Pomacea bridgesii (plant-safe) and not the apple snail (which destroys plants).
Mystery Snail (Pomacea bridgesii) is an aquarium snail in family Ampullariidae, native to South America (Amazon basin). Adults reach 4–6 cm; minimum tank 40 L. Target 20–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.5, 8–18 dGH, 4–12 dKH. Shell calcium demand: high. Diet: detritivore / scavenger, Eats fallen food, biofilm, soft algae, and decaying plant matter. Will accept algae wafers, blanched vegetables, and shrimp pellets. Supplement calcium via cuttlebone or mineral stones. Breeding: Sexual reproduction, needs a male and female. Females climb above the waterline and deposit clutches of pink eggs on glass. Easy to control by removing egg clutches. Algae-eating rating: 2/5. Plant-safe: Yes. Tank mates: Peaceful community. Avoid loaches, puffers, large cichlids, and assassin snails.
Care at a glance
Display snail in golden, ivory, blue, black, and magenta varieties. Personable, active, and large enough to count as a feature animal. Confirm Pomacea bridgesii (plant-safe) and not the apple snail (which destroys plants).
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete planted-aquarium guide.
The parameters that decide whether mystery snail fits in your tank.
Ampullariidae
Detritivore / scavenger
Eats fallen food, biofilm, soft algae, and decaying plant matter. Will accept algae wafers, blanched vegetables, and shrimp pellets. Supplement calcium via cuttlebone or mineral stones.
Sexual reproduction, needs a male and female. Females climb above the waterline and deposit clutches of pink eggs on glass. Easy to control by removing egg clutches.
1–3 yrs
High
Yes
South America (Amazon basin)
South America (Amazon basin)
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Minimum tank: 40 L. Mystery Snail (Pomacea bridgesii) reach 4–6 cm as adults.
Target 20–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.5, 8–18 dGH, and 4–12 dKH. Shell calcium demand is high, supplement with cuttlebone or a mineral stone if your water is soft.
Plant safety: Yes. Mystery Snail are detritivore / scavenger, Eats fallen food, biofilm, soft algae, and decaying plant matter. Will accept algae wafers, blanched vegetables, and shrimp pellets. Supplement calcium via cuttlebone or mineral stones.
Tank mates: Peaceful community. Avoid loaches, puffers, large cichlids, and assassin snails.
Algae-eating rating: 2/5. Eats fallen food, biofilm, soft algae, and decaying plant matter. Will accept algae wafers, blanched vegetables, and shrimp pellets. Supplement calcium via cuttlebone or mineral stones.
Sexual reproduction, needs a male and female. Females climb above the waterline and deposit clutches of pink eggs on glass. Easy to control by removing egg clutches.
Typical lifespan: 1–3 years in a stable, well-maintained tank.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this snail with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
