Apple snails

Pomacea spp. · Aquatic life

Whole animal · Photo: mfeaver / CC BY

InvasiveMollusk (mussel, clam, snail)

Also called Pomacea, Channeled apple snail, Mystery snails (aquarium), Ampullariids

State listing

Idaho: Prohibited invasive species

How to identify Apple snails

Large, round, globe shaped shell about 1 1/2 to 6 inches
Trapdoor (operculum) closes the large opening
Brown, olive or yellow shell, sometimes banded
Pink egg clusters laid above the waterline on stems, walls and posts: bright pink in channeled and giant apple snails, pale cream to light pink in the spiketop apple snail sold for aquariums

Similar species

Chinese and banded mystery snails have a taller spire, give birth to live young and never lay pink eggs. Native pond snails have no trapdoor.

Profile

Season	Active in warm months; cannot survive cold winters outdoors in most of the region.
Starts	Active only in warm water
Depth	Shallow water and shorelines
How it spreads or reproduces	Aquarium and water garden releases
Habitat	Not established in Idaho, Oregon or Wyoming. Possible in warm ponds, water gardens and geothermal waters after aquarium releases.

Why it matters in a lake

A watch species sold in the aquarium trade. Apple snails eat water plants and rice heavily and carry rat lungworm in some places; report suspected finds.