Info Regarding Snails

[BobRivers]

Hello,

I have a pretty bad snail infestation in my 15G tank which is pretty heavily planted, Do the snails create a problem in the aquarium or is it more of an annoyance having to try to remove them?

Also is it true that snails can reproduce on there own?

What is the best way to get rid of them?

will Plecs or corys eat them if small enough?


Help appreciated.

 

[SouthernCross]

I have a pretty bad snail infestation in my 15G tank which is pretty heavily planted, Do the snails create a problem in the aquarium or is it more of an annoyance having to try to remove them?
They can overpopulate your tank and become very unsightly. Are they little and brown? Probably common pond snails, I've got them too. Once they're in there, they are very hard to get rid of. Very large numbers of snail can produce a lot of waste.

Also is it true that snails can reproduce on there own?
Depends on the type, but a lot can. Common pond snails can.

What is the best way to get rid of them?
Best way is a complete tank teardown, but frankly probably isn't worth the effort - you may miss an egg, or add new plants, and be back where you started. I've maintained mine by just picking out all the visible ones at water changes. Also, if your having such a population explosion, you're probably overfeeding. The population stays pretty relative to the available food. I noticed when I cut down on my feeding, my snail problem improved greatly. Now I just pick out the large visible ones at water changes, and they haven't been causing me too much drama.
There are some products on the market aimed at killing snails, but if you care a lot about your fish I wouldn't risk them - they can nuke a lot of things in the tank other than snails! E.g. your good bacteria.

will Plecs or corys eat them if small enough?
No. Some loaches will eat them (e.g. clown loach) but these will grow far, far too large for your tank. Just try the other things I've suggested and see how you go.

Good luck!

 

[BobRivers]

Thanks Sotherncross I remove on average about 20 a day, Regarding over feeding I like to think i am very careful and the fish only get a very small amount 2-3 times a day.

I only have 3 guppies with 4 very small offspring in the tank.

One other question i forgot to ask was Can the snails also destroy Plants?


Thanks aagin.

 

[SouthernCross]

If I were you I'd definitely feed less. At least for a trial period, anyway. My fish only get fed once a day, and I know a lot of people who once a week let their fish 'fast' for a day. Try feeding only once a day, or at least no more than twice, and see if it makes a difference.

Damage plants? I think they can if you let their numbers get that bad - but it also depends on the type of plant too.

Good luck!

 

[BobRivers]

Thanks Sc I will try feeding less and see how i get on.

 

[darkwolf29a]

Try adding a piece of lettuce into the tank. Watch as the snails make a beeline to it. Remove the lettuce...destory the whole thing. It's the best method of getting rid of snails.

 

[jennybugs]

A good slice of cucumber weighted down overnight does as good a job as lettuce

 

[eschaton]

I find it helps to introduce "the right kinds of snails" into a tank.

My experience is Ramshorns outbreed Pond Snails, and Malaysian Trumpets outbreed Ramshorns. I've never had a pond snail infestation in my tank, and never have more than a dozen small Ramshorns on my plants at a time. I do, however, have probably close to 100 full grown MTS, and many more babies. They don't do damage to the plants though, and they mostly come out at night...mostly (10 points to who gets this reference).