Chinese (Cipangopaludina chinensis), Japanese (C. japonica), and banded mystery snails (Viviparus georgianus) can form dense populations and outcompete native species for food and habitat in lakes and streams. Taking the Mystery out of Mystery Snails. It was brought to California in 1892 as a food source, and found in Massachusetts in 1915 — likely an aquarium release. Chinese mystery snail is a regulated invasive species. Chinese mystery snails are native to East Asia, but were brought into the U.S. in the late 19th century as a possible food source, and appeared in New York a few decades later. Mystery snails love to eat blanched green vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, and kale. Mystery Snails. Pomacea Bridgessii or commonly called Mystery Snails are one of my favorites. Origin: Chinese mystery snail (CMS) is native to Asia. Maya: The Chinese mystery snail is a species people don’t know a lot about. They have a trap door, called an operculum, that will close when they are threatened, allowing them to seal themselves up for protection and to survive out of water for days. Chinese mystery snails are large, golf ball-size snails with a “trapdoor” or operculum. These small animals have traveled across the world from China and Japan to the United States. As such, the Mystery Snail is very tolerant of a wide range of conditions in the home aquarium as well. Care Guides. In 1892, Chinese mystery snails were brought to California as a food source and spread to the Eastern U.S. by 1915 after a wild population was found in Massachusetts. A covered tank to prevent snails from escaping and falling to the floor cracking their shells. Mystery Snail - Care Guide Mystery Snails are one of, if not THE most popular freshwater snails in the aquarium hobby, and for good reason! Do not purchase or keep this snail. Chinese (Cipangopaludina chinensis), Japanese (C. japonica), and banded mystery snails (Viviparus georgianus) can form dense populations and outcompete native species for food and habitat in lakes and streams. First problem is, they reproduce like rabbits! These Asian snails are popular with aquarium hobbyists, and some people appreciate them as food. They are highly unique in appearance with their large and colorful shells, their iridescently marked bodies, and their swaying tentacles. Learn how to identify Chinese mystery snails and how to prevent spread. A minimum area at least 1-2 times the diameter of the snail’s shell. The historic range of the banded mystery snail (BMS) is the southeastern U.S., primarily in the Mississippi River system up to Illinois. Access to the water surface for breathing and reproduction. Chinese mystery snails are native to eastern Asia and are widely utilized as a food source in Asia. Chinese mystery snails are distinctively large; at the size of a walnut or golf ball, the are half-again as large as Maine’s largest native freshwater snail. The Chinese mystery snail is an invasive species quickly taking over urban waters throughout the state. CHINESE MYSTERY SNAIL COMMON NAME: Chinese Mystery Snail Many of the Oriental mystery snail’s common names are interchanged, Japanese mystery snail, Japanese Black snail and Japanese trapdoor snail. Never empty your aquarium into natural water bodies. A lot of information is unsure and on certain topics, like control, it was very hard to find any information. Recent work in Wisconsin found that Chinese mystery snail occurred in 50% of lakes surveyed in northern Wisconsin (Solomon et al. Chinese mystery snails inhabit lakes and slow moving rivers. Chinese mystery snails can reach high densities and outcompete native species for food and habitat. The province is looking at long-term measures to prevent its spread. The most popular are the black or brown, gold and ivory variants. Chinese mystery snail is a species of freshwater aquatic snails known by the scientific name Bellamya chinensis, and is also known as the Japanese mystery snail.As their name implies, they are native to Asia, and are assigned to the Viviparidae family , which means it gives birth to live young.. It seems like every day there are 10 more than yesterday. Learn how to identify Chinese mystery snails and how to prevent spread. Mystery snails come in a wide range of colors. 2 min read. A population was established in Boston by 1915, again perhaps as a by-product of the local Asian food market. Chinese Mystery Snail Identification . Mystery Snails have no means to attack other tank inhabitants and has only its operculum and shell for protection from aggressors. These colors will add a nice touch to your freshwater tank. As far as the aquarium settings are concerned, they are comfortable in alkaline water. This is not your average snail! Banded mystery snails (BMS) prey on fish embryos. Never empty your aquarium into natural water bodies. How to ID: Three species of invasive mystery snail have been found in Michigan: The Chinese, Japanese, and Banded.