Snail Eaters

[Tory]

Am soon to be having a fairly well planted new tank (sorry have I said that a million times before?!!!) and am just wondering if anyone can suggest any snail eaters (just in case) that will go well in the community tank? Am looking for something peaceful that will mix with: mollies, platys, danios, corys and other cats.

 

[MiB1986]

Am soon to be having a fairly well planted new tank (sorry have I said that a million times before?!!!) and am just wondering if anyone can suggest any snail eaters (just in case) that will go well in the community tank? Am looking for something peaceful that will mix with: mollies, platys, danios, corys and other cats.

heya, if you have a large tank, go for a couple clown loach (Max size approx 25cm) , if you have a small tank go for a couple yoyo/pakistani loaches (Max Size approx 10cm), all are very friendly and active. Really brighten up a tank and make it always moving/active. like having a dog in a fish tank, always pleased to see you and sleep anywhere at any odd angle!

Do make a clicking noise when eating/excited, which is quiet loud esp if tank is in a bedroom. also dead easy to keep and fairly hardy.

hope this helps.

 

[Davo86]

Hi, as the above poster states it will depend on your tank size as to what fish will be suitable,

In most cases Botia Kubotai or Dwarf Chain Loach will be ideal

 

[Tory]

Id love clown loaches, but I dont think I could accommodate the size

The yoyo loaches sound an interesting idea! Its in my living room so the clicking wouldnt be too much of an issue - it also helps that im looking to brighten up the community as all I seem the have is yellow or silver for some reason!!

I also like the look of those polka dot loaches, they also look interesting.

Any other ideas? The tank is 154l

Thanks for the replies so far

 

[nmonks]

You want to be using Clea helena, the "snail-eating snail" or "assassin snail". It's a superb animal for controlling snail populations. On my signature you'll see a link to some details on the species.

Cheers, Neale

 

[AdAndrews]

how about khuli loaches, they are purple in colour, with yellow bands around them, they dont grow very big.

Adam

 

[matchstickman47]

ok ill make a list

khuli loaches ( you can but full black ones, or the more popular red ones with yellow stripes)
yoyo loach
clown loaches ( get quite big)
cuckoo catfish (expensive but soooo ###### cool)


IMO go with the khulis... keep em in a group of 6 or more to make them active and they will love hiding in the planted areas of the tank

154 litre is big enough for about 4 syno multies... imo if its longer than 3 foot

 

[Tory]

The snail eating snails sound interesting, have had a look at your sig and they look pretyu awesome too

Am wanting to get some khuli loaches anyway but my lfs only seem to have the plain ones - might see if they can order them in - wasnt aware they ate snails though so thats a bonus

 

[matchstickman47]

most loaches do

 

[MiB1986]

heya,

sounds a wonderful size tank, yoyo loaches are little white and black loaches like a clown but white and black instead of orange and black, sadly clown's loose there colour as they get older and just turn into a dark grey colour. where as the yoyo loaches remain the same just get lazier, i got 3 personally in one tank and their like best mates, its so cute like a parties of girls going out on a friday night.

snails are brillant i use them in my smaller growing on tanks to mop up food if any is spilt. but for this i use apple snails BTW. not related but do not under estimate snails, but they do breed like crazy! upto 300 a time! every month!.

the snails mentioned above for eating snails are often rare in uk shops, and you can pay upto £10 a snail! in some places.

hope this helps.

 

[nmonks]

£10! Gosh. Got mine for a couple of quid. They breed slowly, but regularly. I've given away quite a few over the last year or so.

Cheers, Neale

the snails mentioned above for eating snails are often rare in uk shops, and you can pay upto £10 a snail! in some places.

 

[matchstickman47]

£10! Gosh. Got mine for a couple of quid. They breed slowly, but regularly. I've given away quite a few over the last year or so.

Cheers, Neale

the snails mentioned above for eating snails are often rare in uk shops, and you can pay upto £10 a snail! in some places.

well some 'hitchiked' on a plant so i got 2 that constantly breed for free

 

[Tory]

These are some really awesome suggestions guys, knew I could rely on you all!!

Have got some great stuff to work with here - MiB1986 thanks - am dead excited about it!!

 

[Matthew Lee Newell]

pakistani loach
gorgeous fish

 

[Sporen]

Hi, sorry to piggyback on your discussion (hope you don't mind) but I wondered if the assasin snail would be suitable for handling what can only be described as a tadpole snail population explosion! We are talking literally hundereds of the little buggers. They are (I believe) responsible for the death of 3 of my baby Cyprichromis as they all hatched at the same time and put a huge load on the filter in my rearing tank so the water quality plumeted. Basically I want rid now please! I have an 18" cube (holding 100 L) which is home to a pair of shell dwellers and 3 adult sardine cichlids and a 25L rearing tank both of which are harbouring huge populations of snails. How many assasin snails would I need in tanks this size to reduce the population or would some kind of loach be more suitable for the larger tank? All opinions gratefully received.

Thanks

Lauren x