Assassin Snails

[the_lock_man]

I was watching my poorly platy on Saturday when I noticed a small snail crawling up the glass.

Ah well, a bit more food for my assassins, I thought, until I took a closer look, to find that it was actually a baby assassin! Closer inspection of the tank found about a dozen more of them.

How long do they take to grow to adulthood, and is there anything I should do to help them along?

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

They will breed just not as much as other snails.

As for your other questions I don't know. However maybe provide extra food for them.

 

[saltynay]

about 6-8 months to reach sellable maturity to a LFS earlier for a forum. They will eat what is in the sand you don't have to do anything the babies will grow. Assassin snails are a good control to stop a "pest" snail infestation from going epidemic not an eradication method as such provided you still have other common snails in the tank they will be fed on.

I have never seen the pest snail species as pests as the all have there uses and niches in an ecosystem and a good aquarist should use them to there strengths.

 

[ian]

i had this a few months back. I was plesantly supprised, as you can sell them for a couple of quid a peice. The eggs look like little ravioli. I wanted to keep hold of them, so i went along to my LFS and asked if i could have the pest snails from the plant section as you'll often finf the pest snails in there. I'll collect about 20 a month (for free) and in the tank they go. The LFS will thank you for it.

 

[the_lock_man]

I have 6 adults (no idea of the gender split, but clearly at least one of each!!!), and they have indeed all but eradicated the pond snails - I was rather surprised to see the baby on the glass because of that.

Interesting idea about seeing if my LFS have any snails to get rid of, might well try that.

THanks, one and all, all input greatly appreciated.

 

[saltynay]

Drop in some catfish pellets that will keep them fed and bloodworms finely chopped