They are used for breathing atmospheric oxygen, correct? Are they only used when the dissolved oxygen is insufficient? If I see my snail using his siphon should I look at the oxygen in my tank? Are they supposed to quiver as they breath? I was amazed watching it happen especially at the length of the siphon but now I am worried. I my Snaily.

usually it means theyre not getting oxygen from the water, but its really nothing to be worried about....I think they all do it to some extent.... If you have an airstone, your tank should be just fine for them.... I got an airstone, and occasionally ill see one with his syphon out.

It was wild to watch him. It was like watching a movie about drug abuse. He took a hit and just shuddered. The siphon was so long too. I guess I won't worry too much unless I see more. The water is a tad warm. I might need another pump.

Figure how Aquatic Turtles,frogs,certain fish,etc. come up for a breath.I don't think it's really any different,but then again,I don't claim to be an expert.

imagine my mom and i the first time we saw that and thought it was the snails 'manhood'

Hehe. I love that story.

I don't know whether they use it because they need to or not. But then again, if you had both gills and lungs you'd probably get bored using just one all the time, right? It's nothing to be worried about; all snails use their siphons.

I got a neat (not awesome quality..) picture of my snails and their long siphons. It was a while ago.. most of them in the picture have died.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v382/airwens/siphon.jpg

holy heck!! those are some long syphons!!!!!

That's what mine looked like!! Scary stuff if you ask me. It was HUGE!

Manhood! I had forgotten that story. Thanks for the laugh! I am having a difficult fish week.