My large golden apple snail, Snail, (pictured above) passed away on Saturday. I had had him since May 2002. I really miss him. I know it seems kind of silly to get attached to a snail but I really liked him and had gotten very attached over the years. I had raised him from about the size of a quarter to the size of an orange when he died. I lifted him out of the tank and his shell filled my whole hand, and he was also really heavy! I didnt realize he had gotten that big.

I kept him in a 10 gallon with first my betta and then my newest baby goldfish. The tank seems so empty without him.

Anyway just wanted to share. The above picture is my favorite of him and was taken last year. Rest in peace, Snail.

Awww.... Jsrtist... what happened to him? Just old? I feel so badly for you. I know I'm attached to my "Naughty Snail". I've only had her for about a month, so I can imagine how hard it is for you. Plus, IMO, any time you have something from the time it's itty bitty, to when it's full grown, you get attached. I hope you feel better!

R.I.P. Snail....

Thanks. I really dont know what happened. He had really slowed down a lot in the past year. I would try to feed him and he wouldnt eat. It was really weird. When he was younger he ate like crazy and zoomed all around the tank! He even tried to escape from the tank once while I was doing a water change! I think just as he got bigger and older he slowed down. I hope it was old age that he died from, and not anything else. I was told that they only live about a year but then heard of some people who'd had theirs for several years. Either way I hope he was happy during his time with me.

Thats a realy sad story...2 years to have a snail is a long time and you sound like you realy loved him..the one compensation is that Snail had a great life with you..well loved and cared for and he was a star too..I always wondered who the lovely snail was on this page and just think how many people have looked at his pic over the years and how many more in the years to come..long may the memory of Snail live on...Linda

I"ve heard that temperature is a factor in their lifespan too. I don't remember if it's colder water makes them live shorter, or if it's warmer water?? Either way, that snail was obviously a happy one if it lived for that long and got that big!!!

Wow, Jen, that is very sad about Snail! HIs amazing age and size prooves that you took very good care of him. I can't even imagine what a beauty he must have been.....

Thanks for all the kind words–that means a lot. I knew there were people out there who wouldnt judge me for being attached to a snail! Yes, warmer water does speed up their metabolism and therefore their lifespan. However I felt he would live a much richer life in warm water (as he was meant to) than to slow him down and keep him in less than perfect conditions.

I agree!! Then again, I have no choice, my tank is 74-80 all year round.