What To Do With Snails?

[ptyson21]

I have a lot of snails in my planted tank now and was wondering if they do more damage than good? Do they eat algae or just the plants? Should i try to get rid of them? they came in with plants i bought.

 

[*Fishkies*]

Well more then likely they are pond snails. As my boyfriend and I discovered when he purchased live plants from the LFS. They are a pain to get rid of because they multiply quickly and you can never find the eggs really because they are in a clear sac, and the eggs are white usually. Snails will eat your plants when given the chance. If you keep them under control then you'll have no problems with them.

 

[mark.w.jones]

Snails do do a good job of finishing off left over food, dead fish and other detritus at the bottom of your tank. They only really become a huge problem if you are over feeding your fish. Malasian mud snails are the ones you are most likely to have and they usually come in on your plants then hide in the gravel so you don't think you've got much of a problem. They then come out in the 100s at feeding time . I think they are unsightly so to try and to ensure I don't get any in my tank I always bleach dip new plants in a 1:20 mix of bleach to water for about 2 minutes before giving them a good rinse under the tap then again in dechlorinated water. This will get rid of 99% of snails from plants but every so often one will get through who I crush. They are next to impossible to get rid of once you have them. There is a worming product called Flubenol 15 which you can dose your tank with if you have a major problem with them but I'm not sure if it effects certain fish or not. You'll have to do some research. Hope that's been helpful.

 

[chucksmo]

As I have also learned, I got 2 snails with my plants from the lfs and befor coming to this great site I thought they cool. I found out a little later I had more and more. I came to this site and the lettuce works alittle but to this day I am still picking them out. one or two every couple of days now that I have cut back on feeding. Good luck

 

[TommyG]

As stated before putting a piece of vegetable (like zucchini) in there and letting it sit will draw a lot of snails to it. You can then simply pick it out with the snails attached. Also, i had this problem a few months ago and i got three clown loaches to get rid of them. They did an AMAZING job. I havent seen a snail since. The only problem after that is getting rid of all the shells which can throw off your water parameters. Good luck

 

[mark.w.jones]

Also, i had this problem a few months ago and i got three clown loaches to get rid of them. They did an AMAZING job. I havent seen a snail since. The only problem after that is getting rid of all the shells which can throw off your water parameters. Good luck

Beware though. Fully grown Clown Loaches are capable of reaching 12"+ so need a big tank to grown into. They are also a menace to plants so are not an ideal snail solution for many people.

 

[ptyson21]

I did use a clown loach the last time n it really worked but my tank aint big enough for some as they need to be kept in groups. he sadly died a wee while ago so thats how they have come back. ill try using holiday food to get rid of some. Take them out when i feel i have too many.
cheers

 

[qwikimpss]

All you need are a few Botia genus loaches. Yo-Yo loaches work great. I would advise against clown loaches unless you can borrow them from someone or plan on getting a huge tank.