Help with snails!

After buying some aquatic plants recently I noticed I had a few intruders in my tank, it wasn't a big deal at first and the kids thought they were cute. Now they are multiplying a bit faster than I would like. I know clown loaches would love to spend some time in my tank, however its only 29 gallons and clowns get to big. I don't have a lot of room left for stocking is there any other fish I could add to keep the snail population manageable? IM not against snails in my aquarium as long as its not overan.

 

You could just add a lettuce leaf, or a piece of zuchninI or cuckumber at night and remove it in the morning the snails are attracted to it and it is a fairly easy way of thinning the snail herd. Good luck.

 

Ok thanks, I remember reading that years ago I'll give it a try. It would be nice to have a snail eater in the tank though.

 

An assassin snail could work. Of course, I hear if you get a lot of them... they can take over the tank too. Not sure how true that is. However, if you had just one... you might be safe.

 

Snails reproduce according to how much food they get. If you have too many then you're over feeding your fish. 1-2 assassin snails would indeed help keep the others in check. Same scenario though, they feed on other snails and will breed to the overall population.

I'm guessing by your name that you have cichlids? If they're CA/SA cichlids they usually will consider snails a very tasty snack! Not sure how old yours are, though.

 

What kind of snails are they? Some snails are beneficial.

 

Good morning,

I have moved your thread from More Freshwater Aquarium Topics to Freshwater Invertebrates/Snails section of the forum.

You can always locate your posts by clicking on My Posts in the bar close to the top of the screen. In the drop down box, click on My Threads.

Thanks!

Ken (sending visitor message)

 

An assassin snail could work. Of course, I hear if you get a lot of them... they can take over the tank too. Not sure how true that is. However, if you had just one... you might be safe.

Assassins snails are very slow spawners and will definitely NOT take over a tank, like other species of snail might. For that size tank, I would recommend 3 assassins, since you have a very small snail issue. If you're planning on having any snail species on purpose in this tank, don't get assassins. I've seen mine take out small mystery snails.

 

LyndaB - thanks for the clarification.

 

My pleasure.

 

Wow thanks for the info haven't even heard of assassins.

 

The snails in my tank are common pond snails and they reproduce like crazy whether you feed your fish or not. I just ordered 6 assassins let the hunt begin!

 

So after buying plants from my lfs I discovered snails (I was going to buy some anyway so it saved me money) just wondering what kind of snails these are and if I need to get rid or not?

 

They look like pond snails. I hate those things. They’re not necessarily bad, but they breed like crazy. I bought Assassin snails to take care of the pond snail population, only to discover that my Assassins are apparently vegetarians (LOL.)

 

Bladder snails. Your choice as to whether or no you keep them. They do a decent job of cleaning algae, so some people like them.

 

I agree with TexasDomer, they won't populate lile crazy unless you overfeed the tank.

 

I agree with TexasDomer, they won't populate lile crazy unless you overfeed the tank.

Trust me, that’s not always true. I practically starve my corydoras, but those pest snails keep pumping out more kiddos. It’s insane. They must be living off algae or something.

Anyway, sorry to threadjack. OP, if you like snails, then don’t worry about having these in your tank. I’m just a weirdo who hates snails

 

That's the problem - it doesn't take overfeeding to cause a population boom, as algae, biofilm, or plant matter can sustain them.

 

Does it matter what age/size they are when they can breed? Because unless some are growing a lot slower than others I have some more small ones in there so I think maybe they are already breeding

 

You likely have some already breeding.

 

That’s fine, I quite enjoy them and my partner is in love with them too, do you know if they can live in cold water? If I get too overrun I can put some in another tank, how big do they get also?

 

They can live in colder water, and they seem to have a max size of a person's pinky nail.

 

Not only can they live in cold water, they can live through a good bleaching, as well. Not that I would know—LOL. They are extremely adaptable. They don’t get big, but they will be plentiful. They are tough little critters.

 

I have a 20 gallon long tank with a matured mystery snail. I only have one, but it seems to have spawned other snails. I keep the water level high, and there isn't a mate to reproduce. I am trying to find a way to control the snail population but have limited space.

My tank stock with the snail is:
2 Otocinclus
3 Corydoras
2 Peacock Gudgeons
1 Golden Wonder Killi
1 Honey Gourami

I am most concerned because it seems like excess snails (dead or alive) have caused my tank to have nitrogen spikes, with the only other explanation being overfeeding (which I personally think is unlikely).

I have considered adding a dwarf gourami, but have read they can get aggressive with other gouramis. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

Do you have pictures of the snails? Have you recently gotten new plants?

I would not add the Dwarf Gourami.

 

I don't have a picture right now, but can post later. I have not recently added plants, but I do have Anubias and floating plants. Perhaps the issue could have started when I first added the ones I have. It has been going on for a few months.

I also read about a scenario where mystery snails can store sperm from males and release eggs even after mating, so I don't know the exact cause.

 

Did you see a big blob clutch above the waterline? That is how Mysteries lay eggs. A few months is about the right timeline for pest snails.

 

Did you see a big blob clutch above the waterline? That is how Mysteries lay eggs. A few months is about the right timeline for pest snails.

I have not noticed one, they seem to be coming in small waves, so I am very confused by that aspect. I see ones that are bigger that I allowed and smaller ones in my filter after the first ones appeared. I have no idea if the ones on my filter sponge are alive still, but there seems to be some every time I check my media. I hope it just stops.

 

I am guessing pest snails if they come in waves. Mysteries would be all the same time same size.

 

I see. Thank you! Would they be useful in my tank? Or should I just wait it out and take out unwanted ones? Would there be a fish that might act as clean up and prevent future issues that I can put in my tank?

 

Lets get a pic to identify them first to see.

 

Hopefully this is good enough. I can try for a better one if not.

 

Yeah it is kinda small.

 

maybe get a snail eating loach?

 

This is with my phone. It's hard to get a close, focused picture. Is this better?

 

What color is your Mystery snail?

 

That's kind of where we are in the discussion, depending on the kind of snail. Plus, not sure if I can get a loach since they like to be in 3's at the least.

What color is your Mystery snail?

A purple-ish maroon color, about a little smaller than a golf ball. I guess it's considered a light foot purple shell.
It doesn't seem as active as it used to be, it seems to be immobile more often than anything else.