missgingersnap

Do snails have much of a bioload? do you have to count them as part of the inch per gallon rule? I was thinking of getting some nerite snails. I originally wanted a bristlenose pleco but I hear they have a large bioload for the size fish they are. Thanks.

Dozey

Snails do add to the bio load in an aquarium and also breed like rabbits. The BN is likely a better choice as there would be no concern about a population explosion. If you do however specifically want a snail I would recommend a single mystery snail. They do grow very large but would have a very similar bio load of a BN pleco.

MrEMeat

Nerite snails cannot breed in a fresh water aquarium. They lay eggs like mad when they're happy but the young need brackish water to live. I have two red onion snails and two bumblebee horn snails and they're great! They also will not eat live plants.

Dozey

Thank you MrEMeat,

I was not aware of that about Nerite snails. Always great to learn something new. And back to the OP’s original question, what is the bio load of nerite snails specifically?

missgingersnap

I wondered that too. I'm deciding between nerite snails or a bristlenose pleco. But I wanted to see which had a bigger bioload.

docjr03

One thing to consider is that snails help the biological filter by breaking down decaying matter into smaller particles which are easier for bacteria to digest. I think the benefits to your aquarium's ecosystem is outweighed by any addition to the bio-load. Good Luck!

missgingersnap

Do snails eat algae and would I need to feed them anything special?

docjr03

They will eat algae as their primary food source. If you run out of algae in your tank, you will need to supplement their diet. did you know that there is really only one kind of Nerite snail that can live in freshwater?

missgingersnap

No, I was just told that they don't reproduce like crazy so I'm all for them. I can't find any anywhere though so I think I'm out of luck. Do apple snails multiply like mad?

Dozey

Apple snails don't breed too quickly but the get huge.

applesnail.jpg

pinkfloydpuffer

I have 6 nerites. They don't get very big and as far as I have been able to tell aren't that bad with bioload either.

MaddieLynn

Apple snails will breed, but there's a catch:

They lay their eggs ABOVE the water line. So if you keep your tank filled to the brim, the eggs, which will be laid under the water line, son't hatch.

wabash

I read.......somewhere, sorry, no link, to allow one Nerite per 5 Gal. of water.

Amanda

I also read that any snail needs 5 gal.
My friend had an apple snail for a week. By the end of the week she had 28 apple snails.

missgingersnap

I'm thinking the snail thing might be a bad idea! lol I might do nerite snails if I could find them somewhere but none of the LFS have even ever heard of them. I sure don't want hundreds of apple snails or a snail as big as my palm. I think I'll get a bristlenose pleco instead unless I can find the nerite snails.

wabash

I can understand that they never heard of them but that shouldn't stop you. I live in a small town but if I ever want something at LFS they just look through the printouts of what is available from the two suppliers. Ask the guy to look into it a bit further.

missgingersnap

I asked one already and he said his supplier doesn't have them. I'll try a couple other places and see if they can get them for me. I think snails are cute and I really want something to help keep the walls clean.

wabash

Yes, keep asking, you should be able to get them somewhere. They are appealing little critters, the Zebra Nerites I have, especially so. They are the color of the foam on a well pulled espresso with black striping.
And to your original question, I would only count them as bioload if it didn't put me overlimit.