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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #127408
Title: AN EXOTIC, TROPICAL, FRESHWATER SNAIL (MELANOIDES TUBERCULATA): BIOLOGY, DISTRIBUTION, IMPACT AND CONTROL.

Author
item Mitchell, Andrew

Submitted to: World Aquaculture Society Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/27/2002
Publication Date: 1/27/2002
Citation: MITCHELL, A.J. AN EXOTIC, TROPICAL, FRESHWATER SNAIL (MELANOIDES TUBERCULATA): BIOLOGY, DISTRIBUTION, IMPACT AND CONTROL.. WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY MEETING. 2002. p.221.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Melanoides tuberculata is one of only two members of freshwater snails in the family Thiaridae found in the United States. It is a tropical snail and dies when water temperatures drop below 15C for more than a few weeks. It has a spindle shaped shell (some over 5 cm in length) with a hardened covering (operculum) over the mantle opening (cover offers protection against predators and chemicals). The snail has been found in several southern states and in some warmwater springs of more northern states. It is considered a major problem in the Florida tropical fish industry because it carries a trematode that infects the gills of fish. This trematode has the potential to infect most other propagated fish species raised in warm waters. It also infects a number of native fish species in some Texas rivers and springs. The snail is very difficult to eradicate but fish producers in Florida have been able to reduce its numbers by using an application of Bayluscide.