Pet Snails In The Tank

[Gentoo]

I put 4 zebra snails in a 55 litre tropical freshwater tank with some snail-friendly fish. The snails did great for several weeks eating all the algae off the walls and rocks and were doing a brilliant clean-up job. But then they either died or were kidnapped by aliens as I found empty shells of all but one (and I think that one has gone now). There was still algae to eat and obviously leftover fish food. I've heard Zebra snails like eating algae. What did I do wrong?

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I put 4 zebra snails in a 55 litre tropical freshwater tank with some snail-friendly fish. The snails did great for several weeks eating all the algae off the walls and rocks and were doing a brilliant clean-up job. But then they either died or were kidnapped by aliens as I found empty shells of all but one (and I think that one has gone now). There was still algae to eat and obviously leftover fish food. I've heard Zebra snails like eating algae. What did I do wrong?

There might not have been enough food for them all in the tank. Nerite snails are quite fussy little eaters. I had two in a 16 gallon which they kept really clean, unfortunately one died (I'm putting it down to a clean tank). I've since moved the surviving one to a smaller tank (10 gallons) and he's thriving in there, I'd love another but I figure there probably isn't enough algae in there for two snails. When there were the two in the 16 gallon I used to add extra snail food but they never touched it, the snails in my other tanks would demolish the food (and still do). My nerite now is never seen to be anywhere near the snail food, he's always munching on the sides of the glass .

 

[Gentoo]

Thank you for your prompt response dipsydoodlenoodle (great name!) I wondered too if there was enough food but there really is still quite a bit of algae on the walls (which seemed to be their favourite haunt). Gosh I'd never even heard of snail food! Do you think Apple snails are easier to keep? I really need something to keep that little tank clean but algae eating fish never seemed to survive long in this tank, probably due to three tiger loaches who wouldn't leave them alone (though these loaches were totally disinterested in snails as big as Zebras)!

 

[Essjay]

I wouldn't discount the loaches as being the culprits. Nerite snails often fall onto their backs if dislodged, and they have to come right out of their shells to grab onto something to get themselves the right way up. They would be very vulnerable to loaches in this position. Since you can't be watching your tank all the time day and night, I do think that the loaches have spied their chance and grabbed the snails when the opportunity presented itself. Whenever I see one of my nerites upside down (usually during a water change when I've knocked them off a rock or plant) I turn them right way up before a fish can find them.
Apple snails may be bigger than nerites, but more of their body is visible when they are crawling round and would be easier targets for loaches.

Mind you, 55 litres is a bit small for 4 nerites as it will be hard pushed to get enough of the right kind of algae for 4 snails. Nerites don't eat all types of algae. I have 2 red nerites in my very algae prone 60 litre tank and there is enough food in there for them both. And I have 3 zebra nerites in my 125 litre tank.
What species are your loaches? Google is coming up with Syncrossus (Botia) berdmorei and Syncrossus (Botia) helodes. The first one grows to 11 cm and the second to 30cm, both of which will get too big for a 55 litre tank.

 

[Gentoo]

Thanks for your reply essjay. I too turn the snails over when they get upside down but it keeps happening.

The loaches are syncrossus reversa or similar, I think. They are pretty unusual. I've had 3 of them since 2004 and they are still only 3 inches long. I have a 300 litre tank I could transfer them to, but then they might annoy the synodontis catfish!

You might well have answered my question though. Thanks.