Snail options?

[FroFro]

I've been entertaining the idea of getting a snail for my main tank but I have no experience with them. I also have a fear of pest snails and getting an infestation like you see in pictures online. I'd be interested in a snail species that is slow to reproduce or easy to maintain. A bit on the larger side or at least half an inch in size if possible. Does anyone have suggestions or advice?

 

[NickAu]

Assassin snails.

 

[AbbeysDad]

Snails like algae are a good thing that gets a bad rap. They are part of a balanced eco-system and their population is relative to the available food - so as long as you keep waste under control, the population (as with BB) is self regulating.
I have Malaysian Trumpet Snails in my planted tank. They are especially beneficial (like the worms in my garden) as they burrow through the sand, aerating it, performing cleanup and leaving behind plant usable nutrients.
But there are many species of snails. You might like a mystery snail as they're big enough to name?

 

[Essjay]

With apple snails, if you do get a female that lays eggs, the egg clusters will be above the water line so if you check regularly and remove any egg clusters you won't be overrun.
Or the nerite snails. These do lay eggs but they don't hatch in fresh water.

 

[thrujenseyes]

My vote is for a Nerite!
They are stunning little snails with various patterns which are most always beautiful.
They work tirelessly to keep the inside pristine and can not reproduce in fresh water.
I only have one and because he/she knows it's the solo snail in the tank it doesn't even lay eggs.
I adore my Nerite!

 

[Mark Z.]

I second the vote for Nerite snails!
I have several. Some of them have grown to the size of mystery snails. They have great patterns and are active. I have five different types. No problems. Mine do leave eggs everywhere. They seem to really enjoy mopani wood.

 

[Essjay]

I too have several nerites of different sizes, colours and patterns. Since the EU banned the import of apple snails (mystery snails) a few years ago we can't get those any more.

 

[cowgirluntamed]

Nerite snails are awesome for sure. However, I will point out some cons. These guys don't seem to be able to be "fed" like others. At least from my research and subsequent experience. So make sure you don't have too many in one tank. Rachel oleary recommends one per 5 gallons. And...they also can not right themselves if they are upside down. So if you see that, right it asap! It can cause them to die.

I am now totally in LOVE with the mystery (apple) snail. They are amazing and have such long antenna! You can also feed them, and trust me...they eat a lot! One con though...watch the fish with them. Some fish mistake their antenna for little worms and will bite them off. They don't like this! For obvious reasons.

So...I've kept both of these and still have both (mystery snails I'm still learning. Lol). I think, depending on the fish, I would definitely go with mystery snail. But, if you are worried about the fish, nerite snails would be the way to go as they don't come as far out of the shell.

Oh, and I also love my Malaysian trumpet snails...but yes they do breed a lot. Lol. Still would have an invasion of these over pond snails though!

Hope I gave you some things to think about!

 

[Karen_2656]

Nerite snails
Sulawesi Snail
Septaria porcellana
Assassin snail (Clea helena)
Mystery snail (Pomacea bridgesii)
There my favourites!!
Hope this helps
~Karen


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[Jordan_Deus]

Well I bought into the whole "Pest snails are good!" argument. When I planted my tank I left all the pest snails (which were pond snails). I did this because as mentioned earlier here snails will only grow as much as you feed them, so as long as I don't over feed the population will stay in check and will only benefit the tank.

 

[thrujenseyes]

These guys don't seem to be able to be "fed" like others. At least from my research and subsequent experience.

That does seem to be accurate.
I've had just the one for a bit over two years now and have never seen him eating anything that I've put in as a treat (algae wafer, blanched veggies...etc).
But he's always active and cleaning and eating whatever he's finding around the tank.
I've often wondered if two would be too much in a tiny tank, and I think it probably would as one might suffer.

 

[cowgirluntamed]

That does seem to be accurate.
I've had just the one for a bit over two years now and have never seen him eating anything that I've put in as a treat (algae wafer, blanched veggies...etc).
But he's always active and cleaning and eating whatever he's finding around the tank.
I've often wondered if two would be too much in a tiny tank, and I think it probably would as one might suffer.

Oh, that reminds me, watch the algae wafers with the mystery snails. Make sure they don't contain copper! I stuck one in with mine and they reacted badly to it. Thankfully I caught it in time and they were OK the day after.

Edited to add....my algae wafers are Aqueon algae rounds. Last ingredient is copper sulfate

 

[thrujenseyes]

Oh, that reminds me, watch the algae wafers with the mystery snails. Make sure they don't contain copper! I stuck one in with mine and they reacted badly to it. Thankfully I caught it in time and they were OK the day after.

Ohhh yeah! I remember that! Great tip!


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