White Worm On Snail Shell

HI all,

My tank has got some new inhabitants, 3 snails that I think we're brought in as eggs on a live plant I put in. I'm not too fussed about the snails, I like them and they help to clean the tank.

I have noticed a white worm clinging to one of the snail's shell. Is there a way I can find out if this snail is dangerous? Should I take the snail out in the meantime? If there's one worm I'm sure there'll soon be more so hoping to stop it now while I can only see one...

 

If the worm is on the shell, it's a hitchhiker, not any sort of parasite. Your fish will probably find it delicious.

 

If they are "pest" snails, you might find them multiplying like, well, like snails. Rabbits have nothing on pest snails. My suggestion would be to get rid of them before they wear out their welcome. On the other hand, I cannot say enough good things about Nerite snails.

 

I've actually done a bit of research on this and I think I've identified them as pond snails. I can see that they aren't popular but what I can't figure out is why? Why is having so many a bad thing?

 

You sound like me maybe ten years ago. I went from, "Oh! Look! A cute little snail!" to mumbled snail-death-threats in a surprisingly short time.

Why is having so many bad? They take over. Visually it is not nice to see several dozen of them oozing over every surface, but from a practical standpoint, they can go after plant leaves and make siphoning water a more annoying task. My siphon would get snails clogged in the small opening and I would have to keep starting & stopping, and poking snails out of the opening with a paper-clip in between. Any food that dropped to the bottom for my bottom dwellers was quickly coated with snails, too.

 

I hear assassin snails are good to eat them?

 

I have heard the same, but was reluctant to try them for fear I end up with a tank full of assassin snails.

I ended up eradicating my pond snails by picking them out by hand... If your tank is just starting, it shouldn't be too difficult. I had left my situation too long. The first few days I got a small net half-full of snails every day. Eventually I was picking out just a few at a time and eventually they were gone BUT watch for new ones hatching from eggs. (And they HAVE laid eggs. You can count on that.) Now pretty much a year later, I don't see any at all. Good luck!

By the way... I did just squash smaller ones. The fish soon learned a yummy treat was coming when I was on the snail hunt. Gross, but effective.

 

Right I now understand why people don't like pond snails... I've spotted about 50 or so baby snails on the glass when I was doing a water change. I think I got them all out but I bet there'll be more hiding...

 

Yep.... You can be certain there are a few hiding and blobs of eggs here & there, but persevere. You'll get them all eventually!

I'm rather annoyed this morning. In a tank I could have promised was "snail free" I found three or four baby pond snails. Maybe two weeks ago I added a new plant. I was so sure I had checked it for snails & eggs thoroughly. Sigh. Oh well. Back to the attack, I guess.