How big are trapdoor snails when they're "born?

[sissy]

I put them in a tank at first and could not take my eyes off all the babies being born

 

[Mmathis]

How do you know if your TD snail is "expecting?" Well, there is an answer for that -- who knew!

How to Tell if a Livebearing Snail Is Pregnant
If you have a livebearing snail like a Japanese trapdoor snail (Viviparus malleatus), the eggs will be visible in the mother snail's shell. The eggs will hatch in her shell, and the babies will remain there for the first stage of their lives. Many species of Viviparus will bury themselves in the substrate until their babies are ready to emerge from the mother's shell. If your snail has buried herself in the gravel, she's likely to be pregnant. Livebearers often reproduce only twice a year and produce small broods compared with those of egg-layers.

And here's a link that talks about some in-general information about them.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forum...xing-Japanese-Trapdoors-(Viviparus-malleatus)

 

[addy1]

Neat info, I never did look them up to see how they did it.

 

[Mmathis]

Guessing these guys are guys....?

Now, when I look at one of them, all I see are the antennae, LOL!

 

[jmajid]

you guys have me thinking i need THESE also! (along with oyster shells and clams)
so - the question about these would be - do they die off in winter? I am in Houston - zone 9

 

[sissy]

they are cold hardy but not cheap either and fish do like to eat them and if I had known that I would not have put them all in my pond I would have kept some in the fish tank .I learned the hard way

 

[Mmathis]

you guys have me thinking i need THESE also! (along with oyster shells and clams)
so - the question about these would be - do they die off in winter? I am in Houston - zone 9

From what I understand, they can survive winters, but I don't know to what "degree" [no pun intended, ha, ha!]. This current winter was my first time with them in the pond and they seem to be doing fine -- and I'm only one zone above you [LA]. The winter before this I had some Mystery snails, and not a single one survived.

But, do you have koi or goldfish? I have goldies. Apparently koi like to eat snails.

 

[addy1]

I have them in all of my ponds, even shallow fishless ponds that almost or do freeze solid, so far they have survived our winters. The goldfish seem to ignore them, I have huge ones in the big pond.

 

[jmajid]

good to know about koi eating them.. right now the new koi are smaller - nothing bigger than 6" and the smaller ones are 3 to 4"
I did notice they are NOT cheap... might have to keep a few in the indoor tank also then...
choices choices - the pleco i have was meant to go to the pond part time...
I then have thoughts about the Hi fin banded sharks - as those can survive our mild winters here... and now these IF they survive the KOI

 

[HARO]

They have become established in several lakes and ponds around here. If they can survive OUR winters, they can survive yours!
John

 

[Mmathis]

Finally found what I assume is a female, based on the appearance of the antennae! Here are pictures of a boy and a girl for comparison....

Maybe I'll get to be a grandma!