Are There "bad" Snails?

[allydawn17]

Found a hitchhiking snail on some of my new plants, and I've never seen one like him. He may just be young, but he is completely see-through and moves pretty quick. I tried to get a picture but i couldn't get it before he ran behind some driftwood. Anyway, the question is are there any bad snails? Ie., certain types to look out for, poisonous snails, dangerous, anything. Just want to make sure this little guy, or any future hitchhikers, aren't a threat to my tank

 

[techen]

Well he is a threat to your tank. Normally there like pond snails and they'll breed quickly and be impossible to remove. You'll go with just a few to 50 or 100 very quickly.

 

[fluttermoth]

The only 'threat' from snails is getting too many. None of them (in freshwater, at least!) are poisonous or dangerous in any way.

 

[frapadoodle]

Agree, any snail not wanted is a "bad snail". Had "pest snails" in both tanks.
An assasin snail keeps the four footer in check. Don't worry about the Betta tank, if they get out of hand I remove them manually. Squish, squash.

 

[Ch4rlie]

As Fluttermoth already mentions, don't think there's not be any bad snails in terms if being a threat to your stocking.

However, there are some specie of common snails that may munch on your live plants if you have any.

That's about as dangerous these common snails get, large populations of them and possible munching on plants.

There are several methods you can use if you really don't like them. Assassin snails, if tank large enough, loaches, lettuce leafs or DIY traps using plastic containers etc

 

[fluttermoth]

In most tanks, I think snails are beneficial.
 
They'll eat any dead leaves or left over food, they'll turn over your substrate, eat a bit of algae and are a great indicator of overfeeding. Overfeeding is the most usual (although not the only) cause of huge snail populations; if you have way too many snails, cut the amount you feed by a third and you should fide you have a lot less after a month or so.
 
Of course, trapping and assassins are good remedies if overfeeding isn't the cause.

 

[fishncan]

For future avoidance of snail introduction via plants, prepare a saline solution and give them a quick dip before planting. DO NOT soak them. This will cause any hitchhikers to lose their grip.
 
The biggest implication from the snails is probably the bioload

 

[coolie]

I like snails, however British Pond Snails will eat your plants.

 

[allydawn17]

Thanks everyone! I Don't really mind a few snails, just wanted to be sure it's nothing to be concerned with. As of last night there was only one, but I'll be on the look-out for more.