Baby Snail Surprise

Hello! I just now noticed a teeny tiny little golden snail making his way across my tank. I don’t have snails. I do however have live plants from petco, so it makes sense that he found his way in there. I love snails but have never had one as I heard some destroy plants, so I’m wary about him being in my planted 10 gallon with rather expensive plants. I’m so tempted to keep him, should I kick him out or let him be?

 

Its most likely a pest snail and won't do any damage or really affect your tank at all. Most people consider them a nuisance but if you like him then keep him

 

Can you get a picture of him? If he came from the underwater plant section it is likely a pest snail (pond/bladder or ramshorn, most likely the first), it is unlikely you would get a small mystery snail though.

Edit: pest snails can become a nuisance if you don't keep an eye on them, they eat the parts of plants that are soft (or in cases of more expensive aponogeton and dwarf lilies they eat the plant without it going soft because those types are soft leaved).

 

He's most likely a ramshorn or bladder snail. If that is the case, they are harmless detritus eaters, looking for algae and organic matter to eat. They make a good cleaning crew, even though they can sometimes have population explosions.

 

Can you get a picture of him? If he came from the underwater plant section it is likely a pest snail (pond/bladder or ramshorn, most likely the first), it is unlikely you would get a small mystery snail though.

Edit: pest snails can become a nuisance if you don't keep an eye on them, they eat the parts of plants that are soft (or in cases of more expensive aponogeton and dwarf lilies they eat the plant without it going soft because those types are soft leaved).

I went back to get a picture and he’s hiding again! I’ll try to describe him better, but I looked at rams horn pictures and am thinking that’s what he is? His shell is goldish red with teeny tiny black spots on it, like 3 rows of black spot lines. He’s itty bitty so it’s really hard to tell

 

I went back to get a picture and he’s hiding again! I’ll try to describe him better, but I looked at rams horn pictures and am thinking that’s what he is? His shell is goldish red with teeny tiny black spots on it, like 3 rows of black spot lines. He’s itty bitty so it’s really hard to tell

Sounds like a baby ramshorn, as I have too many to count! I, however, love "pest" snails and add them to my tanks on purpose

 

I only have one tank I add ramshorns too and that is because the assassins need food otherwise they eat the good snails that don't reproduce like rabbits.
I have a batch of baby mysteries that seems to be out competing them in one tank, but for the other tanks I pick and squish because they are so numerous (they eat my plants >:-( ). They reproduce by themselves so you will have more, I would separate him out into a separate container if you want to keep him and feed moderately to keep population under control as best you can.

 

Sounds like a baby ramshorn, as I have too many to count! I, however, love "pest" snails and add them to my tanks on purpose

My boyfriend is annoyed with me for keeping it after telling him I’m never getting a snail but he’s SO CUTE. I can’t squish him or give him away

I only have one tank I add ramshorns too and that is because the assassins need food otherwise they eat the good snails that don't reproduce like rabbits.
I have a batch of baby mysteries that seems to be out competing them in one tank, but for the other tanks I pick and squish because they are so numerous (they eat my plants >:-( ). They reproduce by themselves so you will have more, I would separate him out into a separate container if you want to keep him and feed moderately to keep population under control as best you can.

I’ll separate him (he’s so cute I want to keep it), what all do snails need to be happy? I’m using my qt tank right now, could he just go in a Tupperware with an air stone?

 

A vase or one gallon container works fine, a little plant for him and weekly water changes to keep the water clean (give it small veggie scraps or flake food). They can survive and thrive in surprising places, I pull ones out and dry them out, if they are put back in water in 18-24 hrs they come back to life.

 

A vase or one gallon container works fine, a little plant for him and weekly water changes to keep the water clean (give it small veggie scraps or flake food). They can survive and thrive in surprising places, I pull ones out and dry them out, if they are put back in water in 18-24 hrs they come back to life.

That’s crazy! If I can dig around and find him, I’ll set him aside and watch him. Thanks!

 

That’s crazy! If I can dig around and find him, I’ll set him aside and watch him. Thanks!

I would not suggest leaving him out of water, this can cause the shell to weaken as well as potentially killing the snail (specially if you are wanting him to stay alive).

 

I would not suggest leaving him out of water, this can cause the shell to weaken as well as potentially killing the snail (specially if you are wanting him to stay alive).

Yes, he’s happily in a vase with a sinking wafer right now. Here he is, sorry for the awful quality:

 

Yes, he’s happily in a vase with a sinking wafer right now. Here he is, sorry for the awful quality:
View attachment 399796

Little pond snail, I had one get to almost 3/4 an inch in length (which is massive for them, it lived for over six months then tragically passed away, I don't mind pond snails, I just don't like ramshorns lol).