Wading through shipping permits

[gomezaddams]

So,the permits site say my permits are pending,on the first page of this thread someone said that means I can start shipping.Is that true?Id like to bring some snails to an auction in NJ saturday

[badflash]

No, this is not the case. E-Mail the support on the site and ask thenm to expidite your permits.

[CrystalTears]

I was just on the USDA permit site today and I found this:

Snails in the genus Achatina (e.g., Achatina fulica, The Giant African Snail), aquatic snails in the family Ampullaridae (e.g., Pomacea canaliculata, channeled apple snail), and Decollate Snails (Rumina decollata) are specifically prohibited for interstate movement or importation into the United States.

The Giant African Snail poses a threat to both humans and plants. It is not only strictly prohibited from entering the United States but is confiscated when discovered. For more information related to this risk, see the USDA Pest Alert for Wisconsin and CDC Fact Sheet on Angiostrongylus Infections.

One species complex of the family Ampullaridae, Pomacea bridgesii may receive a permit for interstate movement for sales in the hobby trade because these snails are not known to be agricultural pests. They are primarily algae feeders and sometimes are beneficial for ponds and aquariums.

If I have to show my ID to them somewhere, unless they're really close, I'll have to wait on getting any permits because I've lost my ID and I doubt they'll accept a copy of it. Dangit. *sigh* I have about 30 babies that hatched last time and I have 2 more clutches that I want to hatch out because 1 came from my magenta momma and the other came from my (maybe) ivory momma and I'd like to get some magentas and some ivories but all the rest of the babies are going to need good homes.

Unless anyone has any old tanks they no longer need, I can't keep all of the cute lil guys and girls and you've all seen the mommas and daddies in my member photos post. My babies will look much better than their parents because they'll be raised in good, snail-safe waters and not live through the horrible shell-rotting acidic waters of stores like walmart and the other horrible living conditions the actual LFS in the next town over calls acceptable so they should look -much- more attractive than their poor parents do.

To emphasize how bad my LFS is... the woman's been in business 36 years and she tried to tell me "All snails are hermaphrodites." and of course argued with me when I told her otherwise. And even after I showed her a male mating a female, peepee visible and all... she still wouldn't believe me.

No wonder. The snail graveyard of living snails with almost no shell left, cracks, holes, rotted points, snails crawling with nearly their entire topmost whorls completely rotted out and soft insides showing and vulnerable, empty, half rotted shells and detatched bodies still connected to the little operculums and all.. should have warned me she thought she knew it all and clearly knew nothing whatsoever.

I hate going to that store and I tried to teach her a bit about snail care but she wouldn't listen... I go to it still though just to rescue what snails I can rescue. I'll never be able to rescue them all though, sadly enough. Anyway, that's off-topic, sorry!

PS: I also gave her the address for this website and I pray that she'll check it out... for the sake of those poor little snailies.

[Annie Anderson]

Do you have a freecycle site or a Craigslist in your area? You can look for or ask for a tank. Also the classified ads in newspapers. You can also get some big tupperware-type bins, cycle them, filter and heat them, put in an airstone and the babies can live in there till you find them good homes. If you look in the DIY section of this forum, you'll find lots of good advice. Best of luck to you!

[PaulaO]

Big plastic bins work great.

[SnailerD]

The only problem I've found with plastic tubs, is that they're not designed to use for an aquarium and if you use them for a long time, they can stretch and leak. I've been using a 16 gallon sterlite tub for some of my big snails for a couple years and a few months ago, it started leaking - just a little crack that took me awhile to find. Made a mess of the carpet with all the water before I realized what was happening. So, I got a new tub, a little bigger and it did not have as many support baffles on the side, so it was really bowing out on the sides. I ended up getting another one exactly the same size and put it inside the other, with some styrofoam flat pieces on the bottom to make up for any space difference between the two tub bottoms. I figured the second one would help support the other so it wouldn't bow out as much. At present, it seems to be working okay. I made a screen wire lid for it, with an over the back filter on it. I had to block the filter with a piece of styrofoam between the side because it didn't hang right until I did that. I don't have a heater in it, but I have it in a small room that stays warmer than the rest of the house. You might have to be careful of using a tank heater in plastic, in case it would get too warm. I'm not sure about that. Anyway, my described set-up has served me very well for a long time. Just use caution, as I mentioned, and keep your eyes open for any leaks.

[badflash]

CrystalTears-
You have time to get a replacement ID. You are not permitted to legally ship until they are quarter sized anyway.

A 30 gallon rubbermaid tub will last for years and is uner $10 at walmart. A large sponge filter and air pump will run about the same. This is all you really need for the babies if your room is 68F or above.

[Annie Anderson]

I only mentioned a heater because I keep my house heat at 60 degrees which would be too cold for my fish and snails . If I put the thermostat any higher, it's too hot for me . Badflash and SnailerD are right, if your house is warm enough, you won't need a heater.

[CrystalTears]

Here's the bin I have:



It may not be clear, but I bet it would work and it's pretty sturdy.


I was mistaken on the size by... *cough* a couple gallons. Erm... but anywho. :P


Our house is really well insulated. We just use a simple electric heater and half the time it's burning up in here and I'm like. *Pant pant* FAN FAN Turn ont he FAN.

I don't have heaters in any of my tanks currently and the water stays rather nice and warm and the ladies are laying ... on average so far we've got 3 clutches a week. So I guess they're more than happy! LOL

[Lupin]

The permits are no longer in effect this year, guys! See this thread for more information about this matter.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/sh ... p?t=178591

[pbgroupie]

Hmmm...guess I'll have to make a phone call. They never sent me any notice about it but it sure would save a heck of a lot of hassle for a lot of people.

[OnlyEndlers]

Why would they do this and not let everyone know that got permits they are no longer needed? It isnt like they dont have my email and phone number.


I spent 3 days filing for my permits (dial up) and it sucks I went to all that trouble but it is good in a way to for those that would like to ship but havnt because of the permit thing.

[Annie Anderson]

Thanks everyone, it's great news!!