Cherrry123

....OK cycled my tank, added two mollies, and two live plants a week later I added two platys, and two balloon belly mollies, and two ghost shrimp. That night I noticed a snail. Over the next week I noticed about 7. There are like 10 now. My two ballon bellies died, and my platys, but before my last platy died it had babies. Now all I have are two mollies, two ghost shrimp, and three platy fry, and lasty tons of pond snails that hitchiked on my plants. I think they are the cause of death to my orange ballon belly. Is there a way to get rid of them, and have my last remainging fish healthy? Both my mollys are about 3 inches each, so could I possibly add a fish to get rid of the snails that won't get to big? I also have very large gravel, so I don't think I can have loaches, also it can't eat ghost shrimp. Please help fast! Need to help my fish really fast, and thanks for all your help!

Jrd929

I do know that some snails can electrocute fish, maybe those did. But i think that is kinda a long shot, have you checked your Ph, Nitrates and whatnot? Also is it a big enough tank? some fish can die because of suffocation. The rule of thumb in 2-3 gallons of water per inch of fish. There are a ton of thing i could think of really, temp of the water? over feeding? parasites, imported from the dealers water? or maybe stress got to them. At least you won't have an algae problem with all those snails.

Jon

Cherrry123

Yes thats the one good thing, but I noticed that one of my snails were climbing on my plant and then pop! The branch snapped off my plant! Now I'm angry because the only thing left on that plant is an almost dead branch! I need to get rid of those snails!

jsalemi

How big is the tank? If it's large enough, you can add a dwarf or yoyo loach -- they're voracious snail eaters and will clear the snails in no time. After that, they're happy with any kind of sinking pellet (my yoyos particularly love the Omega One shrimp pellets).

mlinden84

I remember reading on here that a way to control the snail population is to not overfeed. Less excess food = less snails. I would feel only minimal amounts for a week or so and see what happens. (or even skip a few feedings, it won't hurt your fish)

Cherrry123

I got a Dwarf Gourami, havent seen any snails since!

COBettaCouple

Snails are such a pestilence.. I'm glad you found a way to get rid of yours. Is the Gourami the only fish in there now?

Cherrry123

No, but theres more snails.There are two other mollies in the tank with him, along with the platy fry in the net. I'm not sure what kind he is, when I bought him it said"Neon Gourami" Is there a such thing? Here is a pic of him/her

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COBettaCouple

Yea, he's a Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami. Very beautiful Gourami!

You might try moving the stuff in the tank to a container of treated water and destroy any snails & eggs that you find.. or get another tank cycled and move just the fish to it, then sterilize and clean out the tank with snails.

Cherrry123

Ok thanks! If I knew that there were going to be snail eggs on the live plants I would have gone fake!