Probaly A Stupid Question...

[flumpit2]

hi all,iv just got some MTS from another member on here and im not sure if im suppose to quarentine them or not.suppose this is a stupid question but im really unsure!!!thanx in advance for any replies. shaz

 

[nmonks]

In theory, yes, it would be a good idea. Snails can carry parasites that could infect fish.

However, in reality, unless you collect the snails from the wild, the risk is close to zero. Your fish are much more likely to be at risk from other fishes that you bring back from the aquarium shop. Snails maintained in aquaria or garden ponds are in a very closed ecosystem where it is difficult for most snail parasites to complete their life cycle. Often, the parasite needs to go from the snail to a specific water bird or fish and then perhaps yet another specific host, before finally going back to another snail.

Every single animal alive has at least one parasite species specially adapted to it, and likely dozens (we have many, including hair and body lice). Of the thousands specialising on one type of fish or another, only a tiny number, literally a a few dozen, are able to maintain themselves in aquaria or ponds. Whitespot is perhaps the best known. Aquaria are in fact very hostile places for the overwhelming majority of parasites.

This isn't to say they're not a problem. Those aquarium-savvy parasites are a nuisance. But most parasites brought in with wild fish may well cause harm in the short-term, but invariable die off because they cannot infect the next species in their life cycle (most probably a specific type of predator that would eat the fish in question).

Anyway, a good question, and hope this reply isn't too long!

Cheers,

Neale

hi all,iv just got some MTS from another member on here and im not sure if im suppose to quarentine them or not.suppose this is a stupid question but im really unsure!!!thanx in advance for any replies. shaz

 

[flumpit2]

thanks alot for the great reply neale,it was really useful and informative!!!!i honestly didnt know if i was suppose to quarentine them like i do new fish because i wasnt sure if they could pass disease on to the fish etc.i suppse the same would apply to shrimps etc aswel then.

thanks again!!

shaz