Snails?

[laurad]

Hello,

I was cleaning my tank last night and discovered what I think could be snails or some other type of little bug! They are about 2-3mm in diameter and are like the shape of snails shell, but very flat and just the shell. I would take a photo but my camera isn't that good so close up. There were a lot of them. I hadn't noticed them before but my dad has been doing my water changes for the past couple of weeks as I was away with work. Once I knew they were there they were quite easy to spot because my gravel is red and these are a dark brown colour. Most are in the gravel but I found a couple on the glass next to the filter.

I have lost 2 panda corys over the past month or so and really don't want to lose anymore.

Is it snails? Should I do something about them? Is it possible to get rid of them altogether? Should I just keep picking them out like I was yesterday? Do they harm my fish?

I have read some of the stuff on the forum about snails about them being safe in the tank and not effecting the fish, but just need someone to tell me they are snails and they are ok to have in my tank and to keep the numbers down I should (fill in blank here!).

Thanks

Laura

 

[Dogson]

Hi Laura,
I think you really need to supply us with some Images of these 'things'? or atleat collect a few and take them to your LFS and see what they say?
Liam

 

[gaz gun man]

Hi Laura,

what size is your tank? and what other fish do you have in there? certain species of fish prey on snails, so that would get rid of them, tank permitting.

Cut down on feeding, as over-feeding makes them more likely to breed.

Another way of removing them is to place something like a lettuce leaf in the bottom of your tank, then remove it a day later hopefully with lots of snails munching on it.

They wont harm your fish. Yes keep picking them out in the mean time

 

[laurad]

I will see what I can do picture wise, but they are little tiny, circles with a spiral pattern like a snails shell. They are about 3mm in diameter but flat discs, not rounded shells like I would normally think of a snail having.

I have 3 x ray tetras, 2 panda cories and 5 neon tetras. I have recently moved the tank (I moved house so they had a bit of turmoil!) and was waiting until I feel that the fish have settled before adding more. My tank is 60l.

I will try the lettuce thing and see how I go.

Thanks for your help