Unwanted Snails!

[fishyfun&fans]

I bought a plant a while back and with it came a couple of extra guests to the tank

Dwarf Ramshorn Snails 2 of them.

I’ve noticed today they’ve gone crazy breeding

There’s a little snail party going on in there.

Would it be inhumane to exterminate them?

As it worth trying to catch the things and release them outside

Help me please I’m gonna end up with a tank full of them

 

[Essjay]

Don't release the snails outside - we should never release anything from our tanks into local waterways. But if you meant into the garden, you can do that as they'll die unless they are in water

As long as they don't take over, these 'pest' snails are good in a tank. I have those tiny ramshorns and physid (pond, bladder etc) snails in both my tanks. Keep their numbers under control and they are not a problem. The main reason for too many snails is too much food. Overfeed the fish and the snails will eat the left overs. Too much algae = snail food. Lots of fish poop left in the tank will also feed the snails.

There are several ways to get the snails out ranging from a lettuce leaf left overnight then removed next day covered in snails, to snail traps. @Avel1896 has a diagram on how to make a snail trap.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Assassin snails will deal with it for you...or snail treatments (not to be used if you have snails or shrimp that you want to keep)...or you can crush the pest snails and the fish will eat them (especially the Cories, if you have them)

 

[fishyfun&fans]

Don't release the snails outside - we should never release anything from our tanks into local waterways. But if you meant into the garden, you can do that as they'll die unless they are in water

As long as they don't take over, these 'pest' snails are good in a tank. I have those tiny ramshorns and physid (pond, bladder etc) snails in both my tanks. Keep their numbers under control and they are not a problem. The main reason for too many snails is too much food. Overfeed the fish and the snails will eat the left overs. Too much algae = snail food. Lots of fish poop left in the tank will also feed the snails.

There are several ways to get the snails out ranging from a lettuce leaf left overnight then removed next day covered in snails, to snail traps. @Avel1896 has a diagram on how to make a snail trap.

Thanks for the info I’ll try the lettuce trap idea

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Generally once they are in there, they are in there for good.

Depending on what size tank and fish stocking you have there are fish that will eat snails. Generally though they need larger tanks and some are aggressive.

Assassin snails can also be quite effective and work with a wider range of fish stocking.

You can reduce numbers by putting veggies in at night, give it an hour or so and then remove them. A lot of snails will be attached to it and then you can get rid of them. Do NOT release to the wild. If you want to euthanize them easily put them in a bag in the freezer for a few hours.

Or my preferred method, just let them be. They do add a bioload to the tank but seeing as they are mostly living on leftovers in my opinion they are no worse than having bits of food and organics rotting away in the tank. I like to have a good mix of different snails, including Ramshorns and Malaysian Trumpet snails which are often both considered pests because of the rate the reproduce at.

 

[fishyfun&fans]

I’ve got loaches but they just don’t seem to be interested in them as food so I think the lettuce idea and netting maybe best

 

[xxBarneyxx]

I’ve got loaches but they just don’t seem to be interested in them as food so I think the lettuce idea and netting maybe best

Yeah it can be a bit hit an miss. I had clown loaches that went nuts for them but had Yoyos which completely ignored them.

I have heard of people crushing a couple of snails and dropping in front of the loaches to try and give them the idea that snails=food. Haven't tried it myself but seen people said it works.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Yeah it can be a bit hit an miss. I had clown loaches that went nuts for them but had Yoyos which completely ignored them.

I have heard of people crushing a couple of snails and dropping in front of the loaches to try and give them the idea that snails=food. Haven't tried it myself but seen people said it works.

My Cories love a freshly squished snail or 6 for breakfast...as do the Rams (personally I think they were enjoying the easy, "no need to crush the shell ourselves cos mum does it for us" approach )

Not had Loaches, not considered my aquariums suited to them.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Rams are prolific breeders.
If you fasted your loaches for a few days, I think you'll find your snail population will decrease.

You've got an over-abundance, because they probably have access to an over-abundance of food.
Time to review your feeding and maintenance, methinks.

Given that you're going to be 'disposing of them' anyway, you might consider using a mortar and pestle and then try feeding them to your fish in general...if they like, then job done. If they don't, then they go on your compost heap or the garden, where other creatures will enjoy the meal.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Rams are prolific breeders.
If you fasted your loaches for a few days, I think you'll find your snail population will decrease.

You've got an over-abundance, because they probably have access to an over-abundance of food.
Time to review your feeding and maintenance, methinks.

Given that you're going to be 'disposing of them' anyway, you might consider using a mortar and pestle and then try feeding them to your fish in general...if they like, then job done. If they don't, then they go on your compost heap or the garden, where other creatures will enjoy the meal.

Rams in my case are the finned variety, not shelled

 

[fishyfun&fans]

My siphon seems to do a good job at sucking the little ones out

The hunts on

Will just leave the adults as I’ve found a fun new activity during water changes

 

[Deleted member 149562]

My siphon seems to do a good job at sucking the little ones out

The hunts on

Will just leave the adults as I’ve found a fun new activity during water changes

At least the snails aren't fast moving

One of my aquariums years and years ago...bought some live plants for it, kept those plants in lightly sailted water for three weeks (changed the water weekly) to get rid of the hitchikers.....rinsed them, planted them....beautiful...

48 hours later every side of the aquarium, the floor/substrate and the underside of the hood...smothered with the pesky blighters

Not impressed one bit....but crushing them for the Cories and Ram's to munch was strangely satisfying

 

[fishyfun&fans]

Rams are prolific breeders.
If you fasted your loaches for a few days, I think you'll find your snail population will decrease.

You've got an over-abundance, because they probably have access to an over-abundance of food.
Time to review your feeding and maintenance, methinks.

Given that you're going to be 'disposing of them' anyway, you might consider using a mortar and pestle and then try feeding them to your fish in general...if they like, then job done. If they don't, then they go on your compost heap or the garden, where other creatures will enjoy the meal.

Hunting seasons on now!

as the little ones get picked up by the siphon I’ll leave the bigger snails

hunting and smooshing the little ones is fun