Advantages Of Snails?

[richard_mincher]

hi there, This may, and probably is a very stupid question and reveals my ignorance to fishkeeping but i was just wondering, surely if snails EAT plants, they they are not good for tanks with plants?? am i missing something, do they eat algae as well? Why would you want something EATING your plants?? thanks very much in advance

 

[drw32]

Not all snails eat plants. Some apple snails don't eat plants and their waste produces infusoria which fry eat. Malaysian Trumpet Snails actuall help plants by digging in the substrate.

 

[Dwarfs]

^^^

MTS as they are shortened to only eat decaying plant matter, uneaten fish food, and other things that could be bad for the tank if not removed. They also aerate the substrate and prevent sand from collecting deadly (to fish) gases.

I haven't had trouble with pond snails and plants either, pond snails don't do much for me though, the only reason I have them is because my fish love to eat them