{"product_id":"golden-mystery-snail-pomacea-diffusa","title":"Golden Mystery Snail | Pomacea diffusa","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Golden Mystery Snail is one of the most eye-catching forms of a firm aquarium favourite — a large, docile grazer that spends its days cruising the glass and décor hoovering up algae and leftovers. Reaching 5–6 cm across the shell, it's an easygoing centrepiece for any community tank and completely safe with live plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePomacea diffusa comes from slow-moving rivers, ponds and wetlands of the Amazon basin in South America, where it grazes submerged vegetation and organic debris in warm, still to slow-flowing water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis form is golden from shell to foot — a rich, buttery yellow all over that makes it one of the most popular and photogenic mystery snail colours.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMystery Snails are utterly peaceful and completely community-safe. Unlike the much larger apple snails sold as pond stock, Pomacea diffusa does not eat healthy plants, only nibbling very soft-leaved plants like duckweed on occasion, so it's a safe addition to a planted aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivorous scavenger that grazes algae, biofilm and leftover food, and benefits from a calcium-rich diet — blanched vegetables, algae wafers and a cuttlebone or snail-safe mineral supplement keep the shell strong and free of pitting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEasy in a mature community tank of 40 litres or more per snail, with hard, alkaline water to support shell growth — soft or acidic conditions will slowly erode and pit the shell. Provide a tight-fitting lid, since mystery snails are accomplished escape artists, and leave a little airspace above the waterline for egg-laying.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMystery snails have separate sexes, so breeding needs both a male and a female. After mating, the female climbs above the waterline to lay a clutch of eggs in a firm, jelly-like capsule in the air gap under the lid; the eggs need humid air, not water, to develop, hatching in two to four weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePomacea diffusa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMystery Snail (Golden form)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmazon basin, South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–6 cm shell diameter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1–3 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60+ litres, more for a group\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore — algae, biofilm, leftover food, calcium supplement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–26 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8+ dGH (hard, calcium-rich)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful planted community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful community fish, shrimp and other snails — tetras, rasboras, corydoras, livebearers and similar calm tankmates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid large or aggressive fish that may attack or flip a snail, such as bigger cichlids, and snail-eating species like some loaches and pufferfish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (4-5cm)","offer_id":55232846790947,"sku":"AA1594","price":7.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (3-4cm)","offer_id":55232846823715,"sku":"AA1593","price":4.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (2cm)","offer_id":55232846856483,"sku":"AA1592","price":2.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-1.5cm)","offer_id":55232846889251,"sku":"BA9100","price":2.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55304233779491,"sku":"BA9336","price":10.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/golden-mystery-snail-pomacea-diffusa","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}