Snail Infestation

[MagicBoy]

My 2 foot tank is developing a snail infestation. It seemed to start a few weeks ago when I took some spare plants off a friend. Started off with one then a couple of tiny (about 2mm) snails, but the numbers have mushroomed in the last week. There must be at least 50 stuck to the front glass and countless others buried in the Java fern at the back of the tank.

The tank has a breeding pair of Kribensis and their last brood of kids, which number about 15 and are approx 6 weeks old. They seem interested in the snails and try to pick them off the glass but seem unable to eat them.

Any suggestions for getting rid of the snails?

 

[roadmaster]

I have trumpet snails in all of my aquariums. When numbers get too large. I place some vegetable matter at the front of the aquarium after light's are off for the evening. The following morning, I take hand held gravel vaccum and remove the large end that normally goes in the tank and use the remaining section of hose to suck up the unwanted snails. Seems the smaller diameter hose creates more suction and also helps to keep from removing too much water.
Have also laid a net in horizontal posistion on bottom of aquarium and placed the vegetable matter in the net. Next morning, I simply remove the net and any snails that are there on the vegetable 's offered.

 

[Hokum]

Your Kribs should eat some else pick up some assasin snails.

 

[MagicBoy]

Cucumber OK? I occasionally feed some to my Bristlenose in the other tank.

I can see how a few snails might be handy for cleaning the tank, but they're taking over now!

 

[Jonty]

Snail infestations are generally signs of overfeeding. Meanwhile just put in some cucumber and take it out next morning. During maintenance, spend a couple of minutes picking them off the glass.

 

[Bebobb]

As stated above, putting a piece of vegetable in the tank, and leaving it will attract the snails, and just remove the piece of vegetable with all of the snails on it. You could also go for an assassin snail. They hunt on other snails. And, they don't produce as rapidly as pest snails do. The assassin snails need a male and a female to reproduce. If you would like a few snails for your tank, I would say that an apple snail or two would be okay. They are the same as assassin snails; they need a male and a female to reproduce.