Black Snails - How To Get Rid Of Them?

[First_Fish]

Hi,

Just a quick question.

I have a quite a few snails in my tank. They seem to have come with the plants we bought and have now turned into 20 or 30 snails, finding more all the time.

Whats the best way to get rid of these??

 

[fluttermoth]

Explosions in snail populations are a sign of over feeding. Cut right back on the amount of food you give your fish and the snails should should gradually disappear.

You can also add a slice of cucumber, a piece of scalded lettuce or a slice of tomato (an end piece with no seeds), wiehted down with a stainless steel teaspon, or a plant weight, added to the tank last thing at night. Next day, before you switch the light on, you can take it and all snails it's attracted out together.

Don't be tempted to use a snail killing liquid; that amount of dead snials can casue a high ammonia spike which could be dangerous to your fish.

Snails don't do any harm to the tank though; I like having them in mine; they're a good indicator of over feeding.

 

[micko]

They're your best friend at the minute. As Fluttermoth has said its more than likely due to over-feeding. They're eating the food that would otherwise rot in your tank. The cucumber trick does work, as does a lettuce leaf but unless you get your feeding correct then they'll be back.