Those Darn Snails

[DazedNCoNfUsEd]

I have a 30 gal freshwater tank with three live plants in it. I don't have a huge snail problem like some people seem to have, I'll only see one every couple or days of so. I always kill them as soon as I see them and rub away those little dots they leave behind. What are those dots anyway?

Also from what I understand the snails hitch a ride on the plants from the store. Well I don't plan on getting any new plants for a while so there's no way any new ones can be introduced. Is there any possible way I can stop the ones from popping up every few days? Whats going on does each one lay eggs before I kill them or something, keeping the cycle going?

 

[fishing4exotics]

Hi DazedNCoNfUsEd, you can add a clown loach to your tank and it will eat the snails. Any future plants that you want to add you can soak in a mild solution of bleach. 1 part bleach to 20 parts water. This will help keep snails from reappearing in your tank from new plants.

 

[Torrean]

Fishing4exotics I appreciate some of the help I've recieved from you in the past but please think before you post. He said it was a 30 gallon tank. That is far too small for a clown loach. Consider khuli loaches or some of the other smaller loach species. Also the bleach mixture should be rinsed off by soaking the plants in heavily (2x dose) dechlorinated water before placing them in the tank to remove any latent bleach.

Have you considered other options for your snail problem? There are snail traps available in some areas. Since your problem is not severe you could keep them. I find snails are good indicators of your feeding levels. If you suddenly get a burst in your snail population then you should cut back on feeding and make sure your fish are eating properly. I find them to be good tank mates and I enjoy watching them once they get larger.

BTW the dots are either baby snails or eggs.

 

[fishing4exotics]

Torrean you are right. Clown loaches do get too big for a 30. I skipped the part about the size of the tank. I'm use to large tanks and large fish

 

[Synirr]

Don't expect khulis to solve the problem, mine has never once eaten a snail that I've noticed.

 

[PlecMama]

That was a really polite and mature exchange guys, I am really impressed.

 

[Torrean]

Hmm...I'm sure I remembered hearing some people say khulis were good for that. Oh well i've been wrong before and it will happen again. Anybody have experience with a loach that stays small and does eat snails? I like my snails so I haven't put too much thought into it. Another reason I figured khuli's ate snails was that my gf has a khuli (i know they like to be in groups...i'm bad) and we've exchanged plants a few times. She has no snails and I have bunches.

EDIT: thanks suzie Q ... It's surprisingly difficult to tactfully correct someone. Just edited this to say thanks to all those people who've corrected me in the past and those who will correct me in the future.

 

[fishing4exotics]

Not all that difficult to correct me Torrean. No one knows all the aspects of fishkeeping. But, there are people who like to challenge other people's opinion because they love to argue. Not because their counter point is valid. And, there are people who give bad advice and can't stand to be corrected. Those people are bad for the hobby. I would rather be corrected, than for me to give bad advice or wrong informaiton to the unknowing person that is just starting out in the hobby. And, on the other side of the coin, I can't stand by and let someone spread bad advice or wrong information to those just starting out in the hobby. I have seen people quit the hobby because they were frustrated with the wrong information they received.