Mystery Snails: Do They Need a Heater?

Last Updated on May 24, 2021 by cmoarz

Some people are convinced that they need a heater for their mystery snails. In this article, we will discuss whether or not you need to provide a heater for your mystery snails and the benefits of getting one if you do decide to get it.

Do mystery snails need a heater?

This is actually a fascinating question to answer because the truth is mystery snails can live in both extreems of temperature. Most of them found in the wild and they can survive both very warm climates like Florida or Southern California, as well as cold ones such as Alaska or Canada where it gets below freezing for some time during the year. The same goes for most species you keep in captivity.

The ideal temperature for these creatures is between 68F and 82F (20c-27c), So don’t go dropping them in ice water just because some of them live in Alaska!, However, A mystery snail will go through several changes depending on the temperature of the water.

When the water is warm, Their bodies go into hyperdrive. Their metabolism speeds up, they eat way more food, they produce way more waste, and they breed at an incredible rate. They also increase in size very very quickly.

But, burning a candle at both ends has its drawbacks, and warm water will shorten the lifespan of a mystery snail by a considerable amount.

On the opposite end of things, When a mystery snail lives in a colder water environment, its metabolism slows way down. They produce less waste, eat less food, they are smaller and grow much slower, and reproduce at a much slower rate.

Does this mean that mystery snails need to be heated? Absolutely not!

The temperature of the water should always remain between 68F-82F (20c-27c). Of course, there is some leeway to this, but it’s always a good idea to keep the water at least within that range.

For most owners, keeping their tank temperature around 60-65F (16c-18c) is going to be sufficient for snails living in captivity without any heaters needed.

Mystery Snails do not need a heater necessarily. It really just depends on what you’re going for with your particular snails.

The bottom line is snails will do just as well in your cold water tanks as your warm water tanks. Each one will have its pitfalls and perks. But if you are simply on a budget or do not want the hassle of heating your tank all the time, then it’s best to stick with cold water tanks. Just remember you ABSOLUTELY MUST acclimate your snail very slowly to new temperatures. Don’t just drop them in!