GouramiGirl1221

How do snails do in planted tanks? Or, I guess the question I'm really trying to ask is, how to plants do in tanks with snails, specifically what I assume are golden apple snails (my LFS lists them as Golden Snails, so I'm not sure the exact breed)? I have gotten snails for "algae control" in all my betta tanks, and my dad has become quite fond of watching them scoot around and wants to put one in the 55 gallon. The only problem I could think of was the fact that all the betta tanks have fake plants, and the 55 gallon is fully planted, so I don't want a little 2 dollar snail to ruin my gorgeous amazon swords.

Beth1965

I think most people on this thread will tell you that the snails will eat your plants, I have not had such issues.
Beth

Fish Guy

I have never had a snail eat plants, but they are known to. What you need to do is watch the tank to see if any plants are being eaten. If they are then simply take the snail out.

Regal

I had ramshorn snails in a tank that I no longer have. They ate the plants and reproduced like crazy. Malaysian Trumpet Snails won't eat your plants. They will eat the algae off the leaves though. They will over populate your tank if you really really overfeed your fish but otherwise they don't. They stay under the gravel for the most part untill the lights are out.

Fish Guy

My snails were also black mysteries.

coffeebean

i have apple snails, trumpet snails, trapdoor snails and ramshorn snails and havent had an issue with the plants being eaten.

GouramiGirl1221

I may have to give this a shot then...I've had quite an algae outbreak in my 55 recently because of the sunlight it gets from the window. I went to the LFS today, but they only had one snail, so I'll have to go back Tuesday after the shipment comes in and get another. One of the snails in my betta tanks had died, so I had to get him a new one lol. Thanks for sharing everyone!

rainman

As long as there is a supply of food and algae, mystery snails will not bother your plants. Apple Snails and Columbian Ramshorns will.

GouramiGirl1221

Ah, thanks rainman! I'll have to make sure what kind they are when I go back. Looks like it's gonna be next week now though...I didn't have time today and yet another horse show starts tomorrow, so all I have time for is water changes and watching my fish babies until it's over .