Betta And Snails?

[littlebensfish]

Hi there,

I'm a 'newbie' so i've been scouring the topics to try and make the best out of our new tank/fish.

I noticed this morning that our Betta seemed to be loitering around our golden snail and waiting for movement. He seemed to be making a move on the snails eyes!
Now.....i'm sure i read somewhere that this is something that Betta's will do, is this right? Should i remove the golden snail? My little boy will be heartbroken if i do but i don't want to leave him in there if hes going to be killed!
Any advice would really be appreciated please?

Also, i am keeping live plants but something/someone keeps breaking them off halfway up the stems? I've replaced them twice. Would this be the snail, or could it be the fish? I'm starting to consider buying fake plants but i really wanted to keep real and the look so great.
Having said that, i've seen some pics on the forums where the artificial plants have also looked very realistic.
Is there a lot of benefit by having live plants or not really?

Thanks for reading, any replies would be great!

 

[Nick Bramley]

hiya, not sure about your problem with the snail but i think plants provide a slight bit of Oxygen into your tank and there also good for the fish to nibble on if there hungry which could be yhe reason your stems keep breaking

 

[littlebensfish]

hiya, not sure about your problem with the snail but i think plants provide a slight bit of Oxygen into your tank and there also good for the fish to nibble on if there hungry which could be yhe reason your stems keep breaking

Thanks for replying

Most of the damage to the plants seems to be getting done at night time (in the dark). I find all the cut off stems floating on top? Anyway, thanks again

 

[jayjay]

I'd guess the breaking of the steams would of been the snails doing, when it tries to move up them it's wait pulls they over maybe?

I'd suggest plants like, java fern, java moss, moss balls, Amazon swords.

Nice easy plants that don't seem to die or 'break' that easy.

I would remove the snail if the betta is attacking it, just try and put in a large container if you don't have any other tanks, it will be okay in the temporary home till you can find something more permanent to put it in.

Real plants are a good option with smaller fish in my opinion, they don't do a lot for oxygen levels unless in a high tec. setup. They do provide good hiding places, break up fishes line of sight, provide some for some and use ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

 

[littlebensfish]

I'd guess the breaking of the steams would of been the snails doing, when it tries to move up them it's wait pulls they over maybe?

I'd suggest plants like, java fern, java moss, moss balls, Amazon swords.

Nice easy plants that don't seem to die or 'break' that easy.

I would remove the snail if the betta is attacking it, just try and put in a large container if you don't have any other tanks, it will be okay in the temporary home till you can find something more permanent to put it in.

Real plants are a good option with smaller fish in my opinion, they don't do a lot for oxygen levels unless in a high tec. setup. They do provide good hiding places, break up fishes line of sight, provide some for some and use ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

Thanks for the reply. I'm sure i read somewhere that Betta can do this to snails? I think i 'll have to take him out (the snail, that is)
Maybe then i'll also know if its the snail doing the damage to the plants?
Thanks again

 

[leanne*fish]

hey i have a golden snail and i have no problem with my plants but they do come out at night and like to wounder up the plants so it maybe him, keep the real plants as they are good for the water my tank is new and my real plants provide great oxgyen and the fish love them, the snail is also very good for cleaning the tankand prople love them i must admit mines abit of a star hehe

 

[BigIan]

The golden apple snails are notorious for eating plants, i had some and soon got rid.

And yes the betta aswell as MANY other fish will peck at the snails

 

[jayjay]

real plants provide great oxgyen

That is not always true. They use oxygen at night and unless setup with high lighting and CO2 generally they make little to no difference.

golden apple snails are notorious for eating plants

Depending on the species, the common apple snails don't eat live plants. I've forgot latin names but I think it is brig. snails that eat plants.

 

[littlebensfish]

The golden apple snails are notorious for eating plants, i had some and soon got rid.

And yes the betta aswell as MANY other fish will peck at the snails

Okeydokey....so it seems the snails got to go (my little boy wont be too pleased)
Its a shame the Betta keeps going for his eyes as i've got to get a seperate tank for him as well so i could have put him in there, never mind!
Thanks for all your help

real plants provide great oxgyen

That is not always true. They use oxygen at night and unless setup with high lighting and CO2 generally they make little to no difference.

golden apple snails are notorious for eating plants

Depending on the species, the common apple snails don't eat live plants. I've forgot latin names but I think it is brig. snails that eat plants.

Ok... thats it...i'm going to have to check with the store EXACTLY what snail he is. It would be a shame to blame him and get rid of him, upsetting my little boy and the problems still there!
Thanks for the info on the plants as well. The smaller plants aren't being touched, just the long leaved reedy type so maybe i'll replace those with artificial? Thanks for your reply

 

[ImperfectFaerie]

When you go check what kind of snail he is, see if you can get a latin name for him. Common names are often misleading and not at all the solid truth on the REAL name. Good luck! Oh yeah- you should get an African Dwarf Frog for your Betta! Your son will love him, and so will your betta. Mine hang out together all the time.

 

[ItsMyThing]

I also have an african dwarf frog in the 2 gal tank with my betta. They get along just fine. At feeding time the front hangs out at the surface, and any food that get by the betta, he eats.

I also have an african dwarf frog in a 2 gal tank with my betta. They get along just fine. At feeding time the frog hangs out at the surface, and any food that get by the betta, he eats.