What Puffer ?

[Vin Swords]

I have 1000s of ramshorn snails in my tank.. I just cant get rid of them. I don't want to use chemicals. I don't mind snails but My tank is coverd in empty horns. Someone told me, it's time to get a small puffer. What puffer shall I go for.. ?

Any ideas..?

And is it a good idea with my stock? There is mix reviews about mixing puffers with other fish.


Thanks in advance.

 

[Wills]

What is your stock? Guessing the discus in your video sig? I wouldnt do any Puffers as they are quite nippy even the more "community ones" like South American Puffers (SAPs).

If you dont mind breaking biotope - I would consider some kind of loach that can withstand the high temps that Discus need.

Wills

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Never ever ever get a fish to control snail population,this has come up about 4 times in the last 7 days, search some of threads mate its the same thing for snails

 

[Louiseness]

Bear in mind that most puffers are brackish! Wouldn't really recommend them on this basis alone.

 

[StandbySetting]

Most puffers require species only tanks too, if you have a snail problem it's because they've got food, be it left over food or decaying plant matter.

 

[the_lock_man]

Assassin snails! A couple will slowly but surely get rid of the ramshorns, without chemicals, without upsetting the stocking balance, no bioload/filter implications and they're quite attractive in a cream and brown kinda way. You just need to fish out the empty shells.

 

[nurglespuss]

Seconded, get assasin snails!

 

[saz326]

what do the assassins eat when they have finished all the snails?



Do you have to get snails in as food then?

 

[lilfishie]

My Assassins have cleared out al my pest snails in 2 tanks now they just eat whatever they find including, flake, bloodworm, catfish pellets, veg etc

 

[the_lock_man]

I had quite an interesting time watching my Cories turfing off the Assassins from their wafer last night, they'll eat anything. You don't want to get too many though, as they will breed as well - just get a couple.

 

[Vin Swords]

Thanks guys.. assassin snail it is then.
I was too thinking what they will eat after finishing off pest snails..

How many shall I get ? 10? For rio400.

 

[the_lock_man]

Let them take it slowly but surely - if you get too many, they too will breed, albeit much more slowly than the ramshorns. In a tank your size, I'd suggest 2 or 3 to start off with, and if progress isn't quick enough, then add to the numbers.

 

[Vin Swords]

Will do.. Thanks.

 

[Mowbz]

Never ever ever get a fish to control snail population,this has come up about 4 times in the last 7 days, search some of threads mate its the same thing for snails

Agreed, its happening more. Time for a sticky thread?

 

[Vin Swords]

And that post about Argos sand.....