Snails in Fry Tank?

[mandi]

I have my 11 platy fry in a 5.5 gallon tank with a sponge filter, a heater (of course) and a couple of java ferns (can't seem to get my hands on any java moss).

I read some people say they put a snail in their fry tank to help keep it clean. Is this reccomended, and if so, what type of snail?

 

[nino]

i dont know if its recommended to put a snail in (although i doubt it would do any harm). and i bet you can just put any aquarium snail in there, i don't think that there is just one particular one designated for fry tanks.

 

[mandi]

I just wanted to make sure there weren't any snails that would "harm" the fish per-say.

I've also read occasionally that snails make more of a mess than what they actually clean up.

Also, I don't want to get a snail that is a hermaphrodite because I don't want my tank overrun with snails ... I was thinking that apple snails are ok, but I wasn't sure...? Or is it the mystery snails?

 

[nino]

an apple snail would be good, and they're nice so later you can put it into something other than the fry tank. i don't get why everyone says that snails are messy, mine aren't, i dont even have nice ones (like an apple snail). but you are right they do breed a lot, although i've noticed this depends on their food supply, so it can be controlled.

 

[Wyld-Fyre]

Your fry tank, possible snailarium, sounds almost like mine.

I don't think the type of snails really matter because they all perform the same functions as each other. They'll help clear the tank of algae, and 'mop up' excess food, and like everything else living will add to the waste materials.

I have Ramshorn, Malaysian Trumpets, and common pond snails living with my 30-or-so Long Finned Leopard Danio fry, a zillion Planarians, and 1x Java plant.

Good luck with yours

 

[Da_Oz]

I have pond snails in my fry tanks. Snails will only muliply to the amount the tank allows. In my 55g I have about 10 to 15 of them but in the 10g fry tanks I have anywhere from 100 to 150. Snails are real good at clean up.