Malaysian Trumpet Snail infestation

[Wakevi]

I have a 150l planted tank being completely overrun by these critters. My question is, can I pick them out and put them in my pond outside? Am not keen on killing them.

 

[Colin_T]

If you put them in your pond they will reproduce like mad and you will end up with 1000s of them. They are a horrible species of snail that can't be controlled. Kill them but don't spread them around.

 

[GaryE]

You don't want to get them out into nature, as they are awful pests. Some aquarists think they're good because they tunnel through the sand, but they also live and die down there, and can be a contributor to pollution in a tank. To me, they have no positives.

Killing them is not pleasant, but they would be better in compost than in a pond where they could conceivably become an environmental pest. Putting non native species outside, even if you think you can control them is always a danger.

 

[Ichthys]

You wouldn't have this problem if you weren't feeding them. Remove as many as you can physically, and feed (a lot) less so there's only enough for the fish. Also keep the substrate clean.