Snail Eater

[snoopyfrench87]

Hello

I have a snail Problem that has got quite out of hand. they are very small pointy ended snails and they have taken over my mature tank since i aquired it from a friend.
I am planning on going and buying a snail eater today.
However i dont know what is best.

the tank is 3ft long, it is mature but i did recently move it and restock it so i dont want to have to add lots of fish (dont clown loaches need to be in large groups?)

The tank currently has lots of little live bearers in it (guppies, a platy, mollys) and a butterfly sucking loach. I am hoping to add some more little fish and a couple of keyhole cichlids.. so nothing taht will injure these guys...


any suggestions??

I need to buy today to get this problem under control - i dont want to use a chemical as i do have some large zebra snails that i hope will stay alive...


thanks

 

[waterdrop]

Sorry, don't know what fish to recommend myself, but have you tried the often cited method of putting a piece of cucumber and/or lettuce down in the tank overnight to see if they will collect on it for removal? I have read that several patient sessions of this can sometimes be the most effective, but depends if your particular snail species goes for it perhaps.

 

[Queen oF The Gravel]

Hi,

The snails you are talking about, i believe i have got them aswell. I noticed one the other week when i was cleaning out my tank, i did'nt really know were it had come from but i did'nt want to kill it so i left it in the tank. Then about 2 week after i saw the same snail with another one by its side!! Will there be more if i leave them and why are they a problem?

 

[fergalthefish]

they will multiply like rabbits!!! personally i hate them but lots of people don't.if you dont want thousands of them remove them asap. they normally come in on plants so its worth cleaning any real plants before you put them into your tank.

 

[Queen oF The Gravel]

Cheeky Bugers!! I was well shocked when i found my first one, I was like Did i buy that??

I dont really mind them but i really dont want any more. I dont want to kill though and i doubt they'l live out side on my garden

Do they get big?

 

[snoopyfrench87]

no they dont get huge... but trust me you dont want them unless you have a puffer fish to feed them too or a fish in your tank to eat them.. a week ago the tank arrived with ten... now in teh evenings when my lights go off u can hardly see through the glass because there are soo many snails!!!


what fish can anyone suggest i add to the tank for a field day??

and how many clown loaches do u need in a group to be happy?
will the bother my little fish?

 

[fergalthefish]

clown loaches should be kept in groups of at least 3 i would say. the snails dont grow big but when i had them in my tank i seemed to have more snails than gravel!!!!!! i was so glad when i upgraded my tank and used new gravel to not have them anymore! i've read on here that if your snails are breeding fast or if they climb up the sides then its to do with overfeeding your fish so maybe thats something to consider.

 

[BINKSY]

I once had the same problem with snails, i got 3 zebra loaches, and within a week the tank was snail free, also great fish, mine are always exploring the floor of the tank for left over food.

Cheers Gordon

 

[Miss Wiggle]

clown loaches get much too big, try dwarf chain loaches, lovely little fish, peaceful and eat snails.

 

[snoopyfrench87]

zebra loaches sound cool, do they get big?

will anything with loach in the name eat snails?

i have only seen clown loaches at my local lfs

 

[Miss Wiggle]

zebra loaches sound cool, do they get big?

will anything with loach in the name eat snails?

i have only seen clown loaches at my local lfs

basically yes, most loaches will eat snails.

there are plenty of loaches which stay small and are appropriate for your tank but there's a handful (like the clown's) which get big, so make sure you know the species before you buy them

 

[BINKSY]

Zebra loaches will grow to about 4 inches, just google them for more info. Yes most loaches will eat snails.


Cheers Gordon

 

[snoopyfrench87]

okay, thanks guys, i will head to the LFS and quiz them on little loaches.

i used to have a botia queen loach.

I hope to have a snwoball plec soon as well as the keyhole cichlids - loaches wont attack my other fish will they? (guppies, butterfly sucker, molly, platy, ammano shrimp)

 

[snoopyfrench87]

Hello!!!

i am now the proud owner of 3 Botia Dario

 

[Ace Of Spades]

Dont know how true this is as I "HEARD" it which isnt good I know...

But Clown loaches dont really like to eat snails, they prefer to eat eggs & Snail Eggs
also they grow to over 10" and like to be in schools so imo 6x2x2 is minimum

Nice mate hope the botia work for u