Snail

[EddieW]

When I was watching my fish this morning before coming into work I noticed a single snail trekking its way across the side glass and on to the front. This is most odd as I have never purchased any snails - I can only assume that one of my plants must have had an egg or tiny snail on it, although I did check and wash them before use.

The snail is quite small (about 5mm along the sole). I am no expert on snails (heck, I'm no expert on fish ) but having had a look around I think it may be of the family Planorbidae as it looks a lot like the Ramshorn snails shown here. I have only seen the one so far but I seem to recall reading that once you have one, you are likely to get many.....

I'd like to get people's opinions on what to do about it - I see the options as being:

1) Get it out of there and dispose of it - not a favourite option as I don't like just killing living things for no reason (animals eating other animals is acceptable).

2) Leave it to multiply. I am not sure I really want snails and I don't have any algae problems.

3) Get something to eat the snail(s). I have read that Clown Loaches are good to dispose of snails, but I think my tank would be too small for Clowns (24" 60 litre). Also the red-tailed black sharks are a bit boisterous - I haven't seen them attacking or harrasing any of the other fish, but they do like whizzing round the tank after each other.

Let me know what you think - and also any other options I have missed.

Thanks in advance, Eddie

 

[wetwetwet]

Hi Eddie,

They will multiply and can easily become a problem - hundreds of the little critters.

Killing them ? - They can become a pest, so I wouldn't have too many qualms about that

Yep there are fish that will take care of them and the clown loach is the one most commonly mentioned but these should really be kept in a group of at least 4 and I'm affraid your tank isn't really big enough

Cann't think of the other snail eaters of the top of my head but am sure someone will be along soon.

 

[Alex]

When I got them a banjo cat sorted them out, and they don't need that much space.

And I also agree with wetwetwet, I hate killing things, but they really can become an awful pest, and the problems they can cause could cause your fish harm.

 

[Very Fishy]

My first reaction to a snail in my tank was " oh isn't it cute " 6 months later..."look at all the snails 12 months later..."how do I get rid of these pests,

Once snails get in your tank, it is extremely difficult to get rid of all of them. I am not a big fan of them.

 

[Kirstie]

Hey!

I'm sure it did come in on one of your plants! Well, 2 years ago, I bought 2 fully grown ramshorn snails from the pet shop. They breed like crazy and I had about 70 of them as of last month! They are cool, because they're snails, but they never stop breeding! I got mine because I thought they would help clean the tank, but they do the opposite. I put all of mine in ziploc freezer bags, filled with water, and took them to Petland (local pet store) and gave them to the fish department there. They are more than happy to take them and you might make a porofit out of it to. Unfortunately, I didn't think of that until after I had given them away! Also, snails are not great for tropical fish aquariums, because when they die, the hard disc on their underside that usually keeps all of their insides in, falls off, and all of their rotting, squishy insides spread all over the tank. Not only is this the nastiest thing ever, but the acidity of their rotting parts is really harmful to your fish. GIVE IT TO THE PET STORE! Good luck!

And P.S. If you want something to clean your tank, get 2 or 3 Otto Cats. They're bottom feeders and are really good!

 

[EddieW]

Thanks to all for the advice - I have got it out of there. Now I suppose it is a case of wait and see if there are any waiting to hatch out