schulzc

Hello Everybody!

Okay, so when I got plants for my tank, there must have been snail eggs on one of them. I had wiped each leaf off before putting it in the tank but there's a good chance I missed one. I saw 1, 2, 3...10 snails. At first I was irritated and then I was okay with them. I know they're great to keep the tank clean but considering they're hermaphrodites, they reproduce like rabbits [but like snails?] The other day I found 4 separate egg sacks. Therefore, my 10 snails are about to become 50!!

Is there any other way to prevent more snails other than throwing them away? [I don't have the heart to do it].

sjlchgo

Buy a Clown Loach! Best thing ever for snail control. Another option is to drain the tank and/or salt the gravel down. Salt will melt the snails. This is no gaurantee to rid all the snails. Best bet.....Loach! Don't let the size factor deter you. They grow really slow.

Mike19

reducing there food source, may reduce the numbers being populated, "IF" you have room you could always buy a loach they love to eat snails , but be wary on which loach as some may get too large for your tank.

mathas

Do let size deter you. Placing juvenile fish in a tank too small for their adult size will result in stunted fish with a reduced lifespan, whether it happens quickly or slowly. Unless, of course, the OP just happens to have a 6' tank lying around to move them to after they outgrow the 30g.

Clown loaches not only need ample room to grow, they need room to swim. And they do best in groups. A 30g tank is not appropriate for a group of clown loaches zipping back and forth, nor is it large enough to provide a suitable quantity of hiding places for a group of mid-sized juveniles, let alone adults.

Mike19

I agree mathas, when purchasing fish we must think about the long term effects.

GouramiGirl1221

A yoyo loach is much smaller than a clown loach (6 inches) and is doing a great job of snail control in my 55 gallong. I believe the "zebra" loaches are also good for snails and only get to be about four inches.

schulzc

Wow!! Thanks guys!
My only problem is, my tank already has quite a few fish. I have 3 panda cories, 4 tetras, 5 black neons, 3 rummy nose, a pleco, and 5 guppies. I may already be overstocked and I would hate to be the reason my fish die. I'm just afraid the snails will take over my tank when it was initially supposed to be, well... a fish tank. haha. I have to admit, I'm very intrigued by the snails but one or 2 are enough.

Do I still have room for a loach or is that asking for too much?

Thanks sooo much for your help. =)

catbtony

clown loaches do best in shoals of 5-6 or more, so yes, that would be an over load for your tanks, looks pretty well stocked-Snails remove by hand as you see them, bait with lettus leaf, place one in at night weighted down with a rock or something in the morning remove them. If you use a product to kill snails in your tank you risk causing high ammonia due to decay of the snail. Also, before you place new plants in your tank you can do a PP (potassium permanganate) dip to kill any snails or snail eggs(http:www.aquariaplants,com) has directions on how to do it and where to find the protuct. good luck