Snail Problem

[The-Raven]

So I've discovered that I have a snail outbreak in my freshwater tank, and going in there every week or so and crushing them all isn't something practical... So my only option is getting some sort of fish that will clear up the problem for me...

Some people have mentioned loaches to me, but I've found that most species aren't active snail eaters... Can anyone name some specific fish that might be able to keep this problem under control?

 

[jayjay]

Take out the other fish and borrow an electric eel, the snails will leave the water as they don't like the electricity. A less drastic option, get some loaches, clown loaches are the best IMO but to big for your tank, try yoyo loaches, blue loaches and there are others, those are just some of the nice looking ones.

 

[The-Raven]

Take out the other fish and borrow an electric eel, the snails will leave the water as they don't like the electricity. A less drastic option, get some loaches, clown loaches are the best IMO but to big for your tank, try yoyo loaches, blue loaches and there are others, those are just some of the nice looking ones.

by blue loach i'm assuming you're talking about botia modesta - aka 'redtail botia', the one that kinda looks like a rainbow shark....

won't they get too big for my tank as well?

 

[jayjay]

Yes I do mean, modesta and I don't think they out grow a 55g.

 

[The-Raven]

the yo-yo loach (botia lohachata) seems to stay pretty small and people are posting that it solves snail problems pretty well...

does anybody else have opinions on them?

Yes I do mean, modesta and I don't think they out grow a 55g.

almost every place online i find a profile of it says it's 10-12", comparable to clowns...

and I wouldn't get it since I think it looks like a washed out/sick rainbow shark

 

[jayjay]

Oh yeah lol sorry. They do get to big but as for it looking like a rainbow shark that's ill, depends how you look at your fish.

 

[The-Raven]

Oh yeah lol sorry. They do get to big but as for it looking like a rainbow shark that's ill, depends how you look at your fish.

well i used to own a clown loach that people used to tell me it won't get too big in a 55, and some people wanted to burn me at the stake - so I caved in and just returned it... I'd rather avoid being flamed like crazy everytime i post a pic of my set up and people see the blue botia... The yo-yo seems like the best choice for me anyhow - 3-4 inches? can't beat that.

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

I'll tell you exactly what you need for your snail problem! you need a puffer, figure 8 or a small pack of dwarves. I've never (and I mean never) seen an infestation of snails that could evade a puffer. They seriously are the best snail hunters I know, and the best part is that you won't have to feed them for a little while.

Any questions just ask!

SLC

 

[jayjay]

The fact they the puffers you mentioned are likely to shred his fish not mean anything? Also the figure 8 puffer is brackish.

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

Well in my experience the puffers I've kept have never been aggressive. espevially not to large fish like his pleco's and figure 8's can do just fine in freshwater, I've always kept them like that!

Puffers do not shred other fishes to death, if they are aggressive, they nip fins and other things of that nature, but most don't. I'd give it a try, I promise that they will not shred anything, especially the dwarf puffers which onlt grow to about 1.5 inches!

SLC

 

[jayjay]

I can't believe what you've just said, a general idea with puffers is don't keep with anything you don't mind finding in more than one piece one day. They can attack fish after being kept with them for years just as they are bored. Dwarf puffers aren't a good choice with other fish as they think they can take down fish larger than themselves. Figure 8's are brackish.

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

Hey there, don't get so excited! I'm just telling you what I know to be true from first hand experience. I've never ever seen a puffer shred any other fish into many different pieces and that's that! Sorry if you don't agree with me but I thought that maybe The-Raven would appreciate some options other than just loaches! There is no need for this to turn into an argument!

Ask around to anyone on here who has puffers and you'll most likely find that the psychotic killer reputation is an unwarranted one in a vast majority of the cases. For heavens sake pleco's live with large cichlids in peoples tanks all the time! And oto's move way too fast for puffers to give them fit's. The only one who might have difficulties is the corries, and that's only if one of the few homicidal individuals are purchased. Were that to happen the puffer could be promptly be returned.

I'm only suggesting that the puffer be "borrowed" in order to eradicate the snails! Every LFS I frequent will sell fish to a trusted customer with the understanding that the fish will be returned later after it does it's cleaning job!

Anyway Raven, just consider it.

Figure 8's are found wild in fresh water, not brakish. Aquarists keep them in very light brakish water because they have the ability to survive in those conditions, however brakish water is hardly a requirement. If the water quality is good (which I'm sure The-Raves's is) the Figure 8's will have no problems at all!

As I look at you'r profile, you also have some sort of shrimp in there. Figure 8 would kill and eat that! I couldn't see it on the regular forum board because it's typed in white!

SLC

 

[millym]

hi
be aware that although not always stated yoyos can grow up to 8 inches in size (i found this out here on this forum!!!)
also .....is it small round snails that you have??? or cone shaped (malaysian trumpet snails)???
we have 2 yoyos & they do not eat the malaysian trumpet snails.........i remove all i can see now & then to control our mts invasion.

 

[Puffer_freak]

Hi there, SLC Flyfishing!

From my research, I have only had the impression that Figure 8s are in fact found in light brackish conditions, but are born and breed in freshwater - much like other brackish fish, so may well be found in freshwater conditions, but do best in brackish, it has been found.

Dwarf puffers do give a nasty nip, and can shred fins...plenty of people on these forums will back this up, as I found when postnig a thread a little while back. As will Figure 8s. Like dogs, you should never fully trust them, as they can also change temperement overnight.

I keep my current puffer in a tank on his own, and by the way he goes for my fingers, would not put anything else in there with him.

Thanks, and I hope I haven't offended you...

Puffer

 

[maryjason]

Hi Raven.... IMO Jayjay is correct here. I have never mixed a puffer with other species ov fish. They can get along for days into months but for no reason they can turn and just shred the fellow tanks mates fins etc. You know what damage those beaks can do so i d strongly suggest you dont mix a puffer with any other fish than its own kind if they are compatable . Some its one tank to one puffer only. I doubt you will get anyone to 'LOAN' you a puffer . Also as far as i am aware too figure 8's are brackish fish Why not go out and treat yourself to a new tank for your community fish and treat yourself to a lovely puffer with home grown food to eat hahaha