Apple Snails And Clown Loaches

[joncairns]

I have just bought a couple of apple snails, a brown one and a golden one.They are lovely and at the moment they share a small tank with two cory catfish and two baby platties,they all seem to co-exist quite nicely.

I have a larger tank and I am considering buying some more for this tank,however I have three clown loaches,which I am told love to eat snails.I assume this means they will eat the smaller 'pest' snails that overwhelm some tanks.

Will they kill Apple snails ? Are there any other fish I should be wary of when introducing Apple snails to a tank.

Thank you all who contribute to my questions with an answer.

Jon

 

[saltynay]

They may have a munch depends on the size of the loaches and the size of the snail. From memory I think apple snails have a trapdoor shell design so they can protect themselves although constant bothering may take its toll. I have heard of loaches attacking trap door snails and their mouths getting trapped by the trap door on the snails shell resulting in a frantic panic for the owner, often once removed the fish and snail are fine. Any fish that is a large mouthed bottom feeders would be a risk, but once full sized the snails are quite formidable.

 

[three-fingers]

Clown loaches will destroy apple snails.

Seen it, and been there, done that with yo-yo loaches .

 

[saltynay]

I have a friend who has them together in his 40 gallon, so perhaps it comes down to personal temperament. I would understand a juvie apple getting killed but if its fully grown adult don't think it would be that dangerous for it.

 

[three-fingers]

Nope, until now, never even heard of them getting along together. Heard countless people tell me the snails got destroyed within a few days...###### clown loaches *shakes fist*.

I put 3 adult apple snails in with 2 2" long yo-yo's and they were eaten within the week .

edit: Continue to be amazed at the words the word filter classes as offensive .

 

[Davo86]

Snails are natural food for all botia species so don't be shocked when they are eaten