Native snails for cooler southern waters

[Jbio]

Hi All

Good to see I'm not the only one that thinks snails, well good snails, are a great addition to a tank! I am looking for native snails that will tolerate our cooler water temps. It looks like most of the posts on here are about snails from up north.

I was given this handy link http://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/freshwater_molluscs/molluscs.html to help identify snails. Obviously there is an enormous amount on there but finding them is an other thing. I found three that look good mostly due to their size (easier to manage???) and are from "Victoria" as well as other states.

Bullastra lessoni

Notopala hanleyi (not sure about this one may be protected in NSW anyway)

Plotiopsis balonnensis

Does anyone have/know of these guys or can provide an other option?

 

Cheers

 

[fishmosy]

What specific temperature ranges do you mean by "cooler water temps"? The northern species may be able to handle colder water than you might think. 

[Jbio]

Inside tank water gets down to about 12-15 (maybe less on stupid cold nights), pond about 9 so not exactly warm. I guess it wouldn't be good to have a population explosion during summer only to have a mass of snails dying and fowling the water.

[fishmosy]

Yeah single digits are a bit low for the tropical types. You might have to try catching some of the above snail species yourself. 

[Baccus]

I think there is a notopala species of snail that can be found in small pockets of Victoria but I am also pretty sure they are heavily protected, since they are so limited.

If you do end up going out to collect your own ( a much safer option than any of us in the North have) you might find these links also helpful.

http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/fisheries/policy-and-planning/legislation-and-regulation/protected-aquatic-and-priority-species/pab-permit-policy-statement

https://museumvictoria.com.au/discoverycentre/infosheets/threatened-victorian-non-marine-invertebrates/

I believe also in parts of Victoria there are species of fairy shrimp (fresh water brine shrimp) which are also heavily protected due to their limited distribution.

http://www.mdfrc.org.au/bugguide/display.asp?type=2&class=21

I thought this link might also be useful and perhaps kick start the I want to explore and collect bug.

http://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/search?speciestype=other+freshwater+invertebrates 

The fresh water sponges seem interesting along with the Water Penny Larva.

There is a non-native cooler water snail that I know of and am pretty sure Coburg Aquarium sells them, Japanese Trapdoor Snails. They are very similar to Australian native Notopala but I don't think they have as colourful a foot. But they have the same habits feeding and breeding wise, in fact they would probably do better in a pond then a tank.

[Jbio]

Thanks for reply guys.

Yeah lots of the waterways near Melbourne and well vic wide are pretty degraded so I'm pro protecting the critters that live within. I do like a scoop here and there though, like a lucky dip which usually brings up bloody mosquito fish.

I have a few snails which I'm 98% sure are native and not protected. Seeing how they go and grow, so far haven't been a problem.