I Thought It Was Rare/hard To Breed Assassin Snails In Your Fish Tank?

[Fishcakes]

My tank is overrunning with them. I purchased 2 of them after having a problem with pond snails as I was reluctant to use chemical treatment. Almost a year later I'm pond snail free and ive got at least 6 babies as well as the 2 original ones (that I've been able to count anyway). I've researched online and most people have said that its unlikely they'll breed in a typical tank.

I've watched them laying their eggs multiple times recently so I've got no doubt I'm gonna see some more. Has anyone else known this to happen as much or do I have some freakishly fertile snails in me tank?

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I've never seen eggs and loads of the ones I actually bought just up and died... but I have loads of babies in one of my tanks... I'm guessing there is some magical environment that they like as they aren't breeding in my other two tanks. I've counter about 31 babies in my one tank and have been moving them into other tanks as I spot them. LOL

 

[DrRob]

Yeah, it happens in certain water conditions, particularly if they have a good food supply.

I wouldn't complain, they're easy to ship and therefore sell, and they're generally desirable features in most tanks. I'd offer to buy a few off you but my soft water tanks tend to dissolve their shells too quickly.

 

[Fishcakes]

It's ok, I know my local fish shop will take them from me for a store discount but a friend of mine might be setting up their first tank soon so ill hold onto the ones I have for the moment. Sorta glad to hear its actually normal, I did think it was too unlikely that my tank is the first ever to have the magical water conditions needed. As I type 4 of them are grouped together heading in the same direction, like a little flock in one corner of the tank.

What is it that they eat by the way? My tank has got a good growth of algae and I don't always remove uneaten food.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

They eat pest snails and any bit of fish food they come across, not algae though.

 

[twofish]

I have tons of them in my shrimp tank. I think they lay their eggs one at a time all over the place. The babies look just like the adults only tiny. I give them away to my LFS. They put them in their plant tank. Seems to be more snail to eat in their.

 

[the_lock_man]

Overrun with 6 babies Haha, I think not. I gave a bag of 40-odd to my LFS. If they can't find snails to eat, then they'll go for fishfood - mine a particularly partial to catfish wafers.

 

[Rob5]

I started off with two.....I had thirteen babies at the last count

 

[twofish]

Yes, I admit they eat like teenagers! I'm fresh outta pesty snails for now so the assassin snails will go a scavangering for leftovers. I have tooo many to count now and even more eggs. Someone mentioned that albino cats maybe eating the assassins babies? Not in my shrimp tank, they eat wasted things in the sand. Yuck, but, I like liver and onions. We all have favorite foods and fun to have a hobby in common!