Good snails for freshwater tanks?

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Nice! How long?

It arrived in my tank on 5th August.
He's almost twice the size he was in the pic;

 

[FishHobby99]

Awfully cute chap!

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Awfully cute chap!

I can hear him going at it...
"Nom nom nom nom nom nom...!"

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Ordered these snails on eBay. Ramshorn. Some saying the cichlids will eat them, so to be placed with the guppies.View attachment 142604

Nice enough, but they'll breed like only snails can.
(Nerites can't in freshwater).

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

that’s interesting about the nerites. My used betta system came with two. Where do they breed then?

Brackish waters.

 

[FishHobby99]

Like in my kitchen sink?

 

[FishHobby99]

Sorry, got definition wrong. Thought it meant dirty water.
just googled.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Like in my kitchen sink?

One would hope not!

Brackish water

 

[JemZ]

I seriously think Nerites are the way to go.

Red Spot

Zebra

I can vouch for the nerites, I have a couple of Zebra's, and they are very efficient. I supplement their diets with sliced cucumbers and the occasional algae wafer.

 

[JemZ]

That’s what I have with the betta. Never thought of feeding them. Thought they ate leftovers

They do indeed but it's good to feed them if algae or leftovers are sparse.

It's also a nice opportunity for your fish to get some veggies as well (not sure how well cucumber goes with bettas though)

 

[FishHobby99]

Wonder if they’d like an alge wafer? Bought some & none of the fish are very interested

 

[JemZ]

Wonder if they’d like an alge wafer? Bought some & none of the fish are very interested

You might find better success with algae wafers if you have fish that are bottom feeders (plecos, CAE, etc.)

If you give them time the nerites should find it. If the fish are aggressive towards it and eat before the snails can get to it, I have that placing my nerites in bowls and feeding them that way ensures they can get to the food and not be disturbed. If you try this keep an eye out because they will escape out of the bowl if allowed to. Adding tank water to the bowl also encourages them to eat in my experience.

I would try different methods and see what works. Ideally, the nerites could be fed inside the tank but it is not always possible.

 

[FishHobby99]

You might find better success with algae wafers if you have fish that are bottom feeders (plecos, CAE, etc.)

If you give them time the nerites should find it. If the fish are aggressive towards it and eat before the snails can get to it, I have that placing my nerites in bowls and feeding them that way ensures they can get to the food and not be disturbed. If you try this keep an eye out because they will escape out of the bowl if allowed to. Adding tank water to the bowl also encourages them to eat in my experience.

I would try different methods and see what works. Ideally, the nerites could be fed inside the tank but it is not always possible.

Many thanks for all the terrific suggestions.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

I occasionally drop an algae wafer in my tank and have seen nerites and my bristlenose having a munch...as well as my Red Line Apisto.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Here‘s hoping some creature likes them. accidentally bought 2 big bags.

They're not too bad on a sarnie, with a bit of mayo and black pepper.