Snails

[Kaidonni]

I'm thinking of getting snails for my tank, and I was wondering - with Malaysian Livebearing Snails or pond snails or bladder snails, do I need to observe any issues such as parasites?
 
I'd only purchase any snails via fish shops, not just take them from outside, but even then I suspect it's the same as with introducing new fish to a tank? I don't have a quarantine tank, and although these aren't fish, I assume I also can't just dump the snails in just any water and treat if that is necessary?
 
I also took note from another website that maybe pond snails aren't actually what I'd want to put in a planted tank due to these snails eating plants?
 
Thanks.

 

[star4]

MTS do not eat plants, they mostly live in the substrate turning it over, you would normally only see them when the tank lights go out as they come to the surface for a gulp of air. Quarantining snails is hard as parasites usually live with the snail until they can find a fish host. I must admit in the years I have had snails I have never had a problem, but I have always got mine from a private seller rather than a shop.

 

[Kaidonni]

Well, my closest lfs only sells Assassin Snails, and I don't believe those are what I'm after. There is another shop I've used a bit further away, so I can phone them up to see what they have. However, it might be I have to go the private seller route, and it might be better also - any recommendations for reliable sellers? Thanks.

 

[Byron]

One correction on the plant issue...pond snails, bladder snails and Malaysian Livebearing will not eat healthy plants.  All will graze the biofilm on the leaves, eating algae and microscopic this and that, but only the leaf itself if it is dying.  Ramshorn are said to be the same (not plant eating) but to be honest I have had a couple comments on forums that they did, so I pass that on for what it may be worth.
 
I commented on the parasite issue in your other thread, so just for the record in this one, I have never had issues with this, and any sort of preventive quarantine treatment is unlikely to be of any benefit.
 
And no, you don't want Assassin Snails, they will eat the others.  If you can find Malaysian Livebearing, you only need a couple.  Same for the pond and bladder for that matter.  I bought two MLS six years ago, and my pond/bladder arrived in plants around the same time.  I wouldn't be without either.
 
Byron.

 

[simonero]

I have malaysian trumpet snails, freshwater nerite snails, mystery snails, and apple snails.  (You might say I like snails!)
 
The only of those that have eaten my plants are the apple snails (who devour them en masse).  The MTS are great, I wouldn't have a tank without them now.  They really mind their own business, sift the sand around, and clue me in if something is going on and I need to clean up (uneaten food in a corner I didnt notice... they will all come out and I'll know).  The nerites have cleaned brown algae off plants for me, but never eat the plants themselves.  They don't breed well in captivity, and you need to make sure they are freshwater not brackish varieties before you get them form the LFS (unless you have brackish, in which case you want that...)
 
I only needed 1 MTS to get several hundred... they are gendered but once a female has been fertilized she can continue to lay eggs.  I learned this from experience initially... I was confused about why I suddenly had dozens or more baby snails when I'd only started with one!