How do snales get in our tanks?

[Ethos]

I havn't had expierince in snales and I dont know! How do you get snales in your tank?

 

[wrs]

plants and things as such. Live plants of course.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

Um, or you could buy them....

 

[SirMinion]

One of the most common ways to accidentely introduce snails to your tank is as WRS says, on plants, usually in the form of near-invisible clusters of jelly-like eggs.

By the time you notice the snails, it's too late!

 

[Ethos]

plants and things as such. Live plants of course.

So the live plants you buy at stores can have snails?

 

[Mr Miagi]

Um, or you could buy them....

Thats helpful.

Yes, the snails lay heir eggs on plants which then are transferred into our aquariums when we buy them. Some people like to soak there plants in a weak chlorine solution, where as others, like me, just wack the plants in!

 

[Ethos]

So once you get snails, its harsd to get rid of em? And are their such a thing as a saltwater snail?

 

[SirMinion]

It can be hard to get rid of them, but unless it gets out of hand, it's not always needed.

And yes, there are many species of saltwater snails.

 

[Danny - the lost soul---]

Snails lay their eggs on plant leaves, tank decor, glass on pretty much any surface available. Most times we introduce them when we bring home some new plants from LFS and do not properly rinse them nor first put them into an empty tank and rinse w/ salty water or a snail rid soulution.
Most of these snails can prove to be a headache for most newbies because they see these snails everywhere and panic/freak out. SNAILS!

Now lets give these little guys some credit.Thought there are many that will distroy a planted tank they also serve there pourpose and help maintain a healthy aquarium. Snails not only eat that ugly,smelly algae they also help in keeping sand bottom tanks stirred up as they like to dig under during the day and dig out at night to graze. SOME not all though. Many just reproduce and eat all greens available. And believe me when I say EVERYTHING. Thats when you introduce a few loaches and bye bye snails.
This IMO would be and is they best solution when a snail problem arises. Chemicals can foul the water and tamper with the chemistry of a tank.

danny

 

[Ethos]

And yes, there are many species of saltwater snails.

Where do they come from??
Or what do they come from?

 

[SirMinion]

And yes, there are many species of saltwater snails.

Where do they come from??
Or what do they come from?

In a saltwater tank, many people introduce snails on purpose because some species are excellent clean-up crew. (turbo snails for example)

Otherwise they usually are introduced when they hitch a ride in live-rock.

 

[Ethos]

So most saltwater snails are used puposely?

 

[SirMinion]

So most saltwater snails are used puposely?

I believe so, but I'm no marine fishkeeper, so I'm not certain.

 

[Ethos]

Well, thanks anyways. I trust your inexpierencement*.

*Is that even a word?

 

[Danny - the lost soul---]

In salt water it is a bit different. As someone mentioned Turbo snails are used as cleaners. Though with salt water many are introduced on live rock and in most cases these little snails can and will eat many corals/feather dusters/ worm rock and many other soft corals and life. I kept salt water tanks for awhile and IMO other than the Turbo snail most are a problem and not much help. I pulled many off the tops of worm rocks where they would sit and pull the worms out of the rock. So to answer your question NO they are not introduced on porpose. Unless they are introduced as food to feed puffers and other snail eating fish they arrive as hitch hickers on live rock.
danny