Unexpected Tank Mate

[Ilya]

I woke up this morning with a snail on my java fern. I'm kind of excited. I'm currently cycling my tank, so I have no fish atm. However, I think it layed eggs, I'm not sure.

I circled where the eggs might be. They're little white spheres. And there are about 6 or 8 or them.

 

[matt1713]

get rid of it fast unless you want thousands of snails

 

[Maximus]

It's already too late sama:

 

[xxBarneyxx]

I have loads of snails in my tank that came in with the plants. I actually dont mind them. Some eat algae and all will clear up any missed food. I have about 5 different types of snail in my tank at the moment and they have left most of the plants alone.

 

[Matty P]

The snails won't do any harm, just as long as the numbers don't get out of control.

 

[**sarahp**]

I'm currently cycling my tank, so I have no fish atm.

It may not survive the cycling process - I got some free snails with some plants I bought but they died in the 3rd week of cycling - I think the amount of nitrIte was just too much for them

 

[Ilya]

There seems to be only a tiny amount of eggs, but I don't know if I should get rid of them.

 

[Ilya]

Eh, I got rid of them. They were defiantly eggs. You can see the mucus shield surrounding them. I got most of them off. I think I left 2 on there, but 2 snails shouldn't be a problem.

 

[afishdude]

in a month those 2 snails will be about 100 snails.

 

[stang1]

I know many people don't mind snails but eventually they become a pest. I have to clean one of my tanks twice a week just to clear the snails out. They end up getting everywhere, in your substrate, filter, decor, plants etc. I'd get rid of any eggs and try to clean as many out as you can.

 

[Ilya]

Wouldn't the nitrate/nitrite levels kill them out?!And can a snail even lay eggs if it doesn't have a mate?!

 

[afishdude]

some can reproduce asexualy, which meens they dont need a mate

 

[Ilya]

Well, here we go. There is another tank mate. I'll just remove one of them .

 

[afishdude]

ramshorn which is what you have. can reproduce even if there is just one. i started out with one and now i have hundreds

 

[roseK]

i had one tag along on a plant and i couldnt bare to kill it, instead i put it in a one gallon. and in a week there was over 7 patches of eggs on the tank wall

now i found one in my turtle tank, idk how long its been there, but tis going tomorrow!