How Did They Get Into My Tank????

So I have a 20 gal. tank with 6 mollies (balloon and dalmatian). The tank has been up for a month or so. The plants are plastic, and the only living thing other than the fish and bacteria is the marimo moss ball.

Last night, I found a teeny tiny itty bitty snail exploring the front of my tank. At first I thought it was a bug, but when I took it out I noticed the little sharp hard shell. I don't know ANYTHING about snails, and I was freaked out so I did get rid of him But now I'm wondering HOW he got in there? Could there have been eggs on the moss ball?

in case more snails show up: are they good or bad for the tank? if so, what do I feed them? If not, how to I properly dispose of them?

(looking at google pictures, I'm pretty sure this guy was a baby nerite).

 

Likely a hitchhiker from the moss ball. Typically when you introduce plants or balls to the tank you want to really take a peak at it and see if there is anything in there.

Snails and plants are like peanut butter and jelly, they are made for each other.

Hopefully that one snail was the only one. I keep an eye on the tank for any other ones.

 

If it's a nerite you don't have to worry, they don't breed in fresh water. It's probably more likely a pond snail or MTS though.

And likely came in with the moss ball.

 

If it is a Pond Snail or MTS then they will take care of themselves, but be careful about how much food you put in the tank as any excess food will give them more food and they will breed quicker.

 

A sharp shell would indicate a bladder snail. They are common hitchhikers on plants.

They aren't harmful and actually make a great cleanup crew, which you can probably use with such a heavy stocking in your tank.

 

The snail probably came in by the moss ball. It is most likely a bladder or pond snail which can reproduce fast.

 

I found another one in my tank a few hours ago. Looks to be a bladder snail, and since I have been having a little algae build up lately, I am gonna keep him in there. He’s super tiny, probably only a few weeks old.