[saphirehaze]

Proper apple snails "Pomecea Bridgesii" will not eat living plants. They will only eat dead or decaying plant matter. I keep mine with an Anubia and a Amazon sword, no problems. They like to explore and climb, so fragile, bunched plants are not a good idea. They got into my ambulia. They try to eat the bottoms. Snails thrive in hard alkaline water. The site where I purchased mine recommends pH7.6 or above. They need calcium and like water above or around 74 degrees farenheight. They are very sensitive to copper and heavy metals. Use a dechlorinator/water prep that completely inactivates these to be safe. And yes caniculata will devour many plants, but some plants, like swords, may withstand their appetites. I have 2 ivory, 2 striped purple (my favorites), and one ebony. I have clutches that should hatch soon. Healthy snails are active, comical, inquisitive, and fun. They do cut down on algae, especially on the glass.