Snail In My Tank

[JimP]

My new tank has been up and running for about a week now, on havig a close look yesterday I spotted a small snail in there! Presume this has come from one of the plants or my bog wood

Is it best to remove the snail and any other's that appear immediately???

 

[Underwurlde]

!!!!YYYYEEEEESSSSS!!!!!

get it (them) OUT.

 

[JimP]

Thanks just wanted to make sure, it's out now!!!

 

[Bint]

!!!!YYYYEEEEESSSSS!!!!!

get it (them) OUT.

Why??

 

[bobross]

Why??





... thinking the same thing. What's the harm in having A snail in a tank? They kind of creepy in a cool way

 

[cjohnston]

Hi,

because if another is hiding, before you know it they're are hundreds, which is not benefical for the tank. They are an absolutre pain to get rid of.

 

[bobross]

would it be okay to have just one?

 

[loachman]

most snails can reproduce asexually. that one can easily become many more.

 

[fishboy619]

most common snails that you get from live plants are a pain. they reproduce quickly and over run your tank. no matter how much you try to get rid of them, if you leave it in the tank, you will always have some, they will feed of leftovers or even some plants ive found. fancy snails like mystery snails or apple snails do NOT reproduce asexualy and need two. by getting just one, you can have a resident snails with out the hastle.

 

[loachman]

most common snails that you get from live plants are a pain. they reproduce quickly and over run your tank. no matter how much you try to get rid of them, if you leave it in the tank, you will always have some, they will feed of leftovers or even some plants ive found. fancy snails like mystery snails or apple snails do NOT reproduce asexualy and need two. by getting just one, you can have a resident snails with out the hastle.

True that not all snails reproduce asexually, but since it just showed up on a plant it is most likely going to be one of the less desirable kinds.

Fancy snails rarely come in as contaminants on plants.

What does it look like? Is it brownish and small, or have a long spiraled cone shaped shell, or shaped like a rams horn?

 

[modaz]

the likely hood you have eggs around is strong

good and easy way to get rid of unwanted snails......get a clown loach they love to eat them

quite sensitive fish so start with some hardy fish such as black phantoms or black neons to est your tank a little more

 

[gpgscott]

I had some small spiral shaped ones hitchike in with someone about 2 years ago and since then they have been a big problem, I can't get rid of the quick enough. Does anyone know can you use some chem that won't harm the fish but is deadly to inverts, and what about cleaning the tank will partial water changes get enough of the decay out to prevent making everyone else sick? Right now I just pick them out every chance I get. Scott

I see that modaz was posting at the same time I was, didn't know this about Clown Loaches and have always admired them, will they be compatible in a semi aggressive community?

 

[Lynz781]

Well I have discovered lots of different hitchhikers over the years. They didn't really become a problem though. But my red ramshorns have. They got too numerous and noticed the plants were getting a pasting but I didn't get my knickers in a twist about it. I just squish them as I have lots of fish (cories, khuli loaches) that love snails for dinner.
So there ya go. A free food source if they get too numerous.

 

[JimP]

What does it look like? Is it brownish and small, or have a long spiraled cone shaped shell, or shaped like a rams horn?

It was very small had a spiraled shell and look more of a beige colour!

Didn't really have that goo d a look at him though, as soon as the first reply got it out immediatley.

There are no more as yet but will keep an eye on it

Jim

good and easy way to get rid of unwanted snails......get a clown loach they love to eat them

Really would like a clown loach but I don't think my tank is big enough - only a 60 litre

Still I could get one then when it grows would be a good excuss for a bigger tank

Jim

 

[Glod]

Loaches like to be in groups, and for small tanks clown loaches are a poor choice, they get pretty big. There are smaller loaches around which will also take snails. I have some zebras in my 4ft tank and haven't seen a snail in months, lol. When you get as small as 60l I'm not sure what loach would be ok (if any). If you want to investigate loaches for snail control try looking into khuli loaches or zebra loaches, you'll need to make sure the tank is large enough tho