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The Mystery Snail (Pomacea diffusa, often misidentified as Pomacea bridgesii) is a popular and engaging freshwater snail, cherished by aquarists for its vibrant colors, active scavenging, and peaceful nature. These South American natives are relatively large for aquarium snails, with adult shells reaching up to 2 inches in diameter. They come in a spectacular array of colors, including golden, ivory, blue, purple, black, and chestnut, often with a striking banded pattern. Mystery Snails are highly active and can be observed gracefully gliding across tank surfaces, sifting through substrate, and even climbing to the water's surface using a siphon. They are excellent tank cleaners, constantly foraging for algae, detritus, leftover food, and decaying plant matter, contributing significantly to a healthy aquarium ecosystem. Unlike some other snail species, Mystery Snails are generally not known to consume healthy live plants, making them suitable companions for planted tanks. They thrive in well-maintained aquariums with stable water parameters: temperatures between 68-82°F (20-28°C), a pH of 7.0-8.0, and moderately hard water (GH 8-15 dGH) to support strong shell growth. A diet supplemented with calcium-rich foods like cuttlebone or specialized snail wafers is beneficial. They are completely peaceful and compatible with most community fish that are not known to nip at snail antennae or shells. Mystery Snails are sexually dimorphic and lay clutches of pearl-like eggs above the waterline, making their breeding both fascinating and manageable for the dedicated hobbyist.

Long antennae can be nipped.