Should There Be Snails?

[FishBlast]

This Ceratopteris plant keeps spreading tiny leaves around the water and I keep netting them out.
Should I get some snails to get rid of the dead leaves? Or will they stress the filter?
If snails: what kind of snails?

Or maybe shrimp?
What kind of non-fish creatures can I keep there for that purpose?

 

[lhandley]

I had a similar problem with one of my plants so I asked my lfs and they told me to get some cherry shrimp. Worked for me

 

[FishBlast]

I had a similar problem with one of my plants so I asked my lfs and they told me to get some cherry shrimp. Worked for me

Then... that's for next month's cart I guess X))
Just hope they have some on sale, as I haven't noticed any shrimp (not sure if they had them last time I went there).
How many though and how much do they affect the filter? And would they work with hoplo / swordtails?

 

[lhandley]

A hoplo might suck one or two up by accident but I can't see one going after shrimp on purpose. Your swordtails on the other hand might be a problem however as long as you have enough places for the shrimp to hide they could potentially live in the same tank. And they hardly affect my filter at all.

I'd also say get a good 5 or 6 just in case your swordtails do decide to have a little snack but if the shrimp start spawning then the swordtails could help keep the numbers in check to be honest.

 

[FishBlast]

A hoplo might suck one or two up by accident but I can't see one going after shrimp on purpose. Your swordtails on the other hand might be a problem however as long as you have enough places for the shrimp to hide they could potentially live in the same tank. And they hardly affect my filter at all.

I'd also say get a good 5 or 6 just in case your swordtails do decide to have a little snack but if the shrimp start spawning then the swordtails could help keep the numbers in check to be honest.

I wouldn't want the little things to get eaten though... wouldn't apple snails be better as they are slow and less likely to attract attention?
My hoplo usually doesn't touch moving things, and fry usually were found under my hoplos so I guess they don't like eating fry or any small creatures except bloodworms.

 

[lhandley]

Yes you could get apple snails as they would eat the dead leaves too I just happen to prefer the shrimp

 

[FishBlast]

Yes you could get apple snails as they would eat the dead leaves too I just happen to prefer the shrimp

Yeah, shrimp look cute /entertaining.
I find snails cute too, but a bit boring due to slow movement.
Well, there is one kind of snail I like that can be found in a lake nearby and moves pretty fast, but I doubt they can be put in a fish tank as they are wild. They look nice though, with their kitty-ear style eyes and that cone-shaped black shell...

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Let there be snails! I've heard that people really like trumpet snails and zebra snails - check them out. Apparently trumpet snails are really good for your sand!

 

[lhandley]

Yes you could get apple snails as they would eat the dead leaves too I just happen to prefer the shrimp

Yeah, shrimp look cute /entertaining.
I find snails cute too, but a bit boring due to slow movement.
Well, there is one kind of snail I like that can be found in a lake nearby and moves pretty fast, but I doubt they can be put in a fish tank as they are wild. They look nice though, with their kitty-ear style eyes and that cone-shaped black shell...

One thing to think about if you do get apple snails is that you will have to remove eggs from time to time, not very often but it's just something to look out for. But if you do want some of the baby snails to survive once they hatch I would advise moving them to another tank for a while as the swordtails might snack on them when their small

 

[FishBlast]

Let there be snails! I've heard that people really like trumpet snails and zebra snails - check them out. Apparently trumpet snails are really good for your sand!

I want them to eat the plant debris mostly, as I'm netting it out due to having a new plant that seems quite damaged in some areas (has black leaves). I trimmed as much as I could out of it, but some still are partly green.

And oddly, the Trumpet looks almost like my favorite lake snails! That shell shape looks awesome!

The zebras look kind of boring.

One thing to think about if you do get apple snails is that you will have to remove eggs from time to time, not very often but it's just something to look out for. But if you do want some of the baby snails to survive once they hatch I would advise moving them to another tank for a while as the swordtails might snack on them when their small

I wouldn't mind if I'd get a few extra snails or if I get free swordtail's snacks / hoplo's snacks in the form of snail eggs. I just want the snails that I'd buy to survive.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Yeah they are cool, they burrow in your sand keeping it nice and mixed up which helps to keep it cleaner in the long run.

 

[FishBlast]

Yeah they are cool, they burrow in your sand keeping it nice and mixed up which helps to keep it cleaner in the long run.

My hoplo already started playing in the sand too. He's throwing it up with his snout and also filters some through his gills. I'm so happy X)

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Aw good! He obviously just had to get used to new tank, glad he's getting all settled in now

 

[FishBlast]

Aw good! He obviously just had to get used to new tank, glad he's getting all settled in now

Yeah, for a brave fish who can stand his ground against strangers, he's pretty shy when it comes to tank changes. But his curiosity got the best of him now.
I hope the plant will grow over the back side of the tank to cover it so that it gets light and the fish get somewhat of a nice shade.

 

[Cazgar]

The zebras are poop machines, food goes in one end & straight out the other.
Never seen so much poop since I added one to one of my Betta tanks.
Trumpets you'll hardly see as they tend to come out once the lights are off