snail????

[fishyyy]

I think theres a snail in my tank!!
Its really tiny (2mm??), and dark brown.
What kind of snail is it??
Should i take it out?

Its on the amazon sword plant.

 

[Discomafia]

more info....

edit - take it out, just to be on the safe side. better safe then sorry

 

[fishyyy]

more info....

what kind of info?

 

[FishDan]

What does it look like? That's probably the best piece of information you can give us.

There are many types of snails and having you keep it or not largely depends on what kind of snail it is. Some are beneficial and won't harm your plants. Others may well ravage your plants, treating them like a large salad buffet.

\Dan

 

[fishyyy]

I cant really tell what it looks like, since its so small.
All i can tell is the color and size.
Well, i can kind of tell what shape it is (is standard snail shaped)
I cant find it today, anyway.

 

[fishaholic]

There is no point in removing it. It's not harmful. Those snails usualy come with the gravel, or if you buy a plant it tags along.

 

[clutterydrawer]

there is point in removing it if you dont want snails in your tank. It's probably just a pest snail, which could eat your plants.

 

[Red]

If youo don't want it to produce lots more snails and you're too kind (pussy) to kill it I offer a free snail disposal service check out the Buy Sell & swap forum!

 

[FishDan]

If youo don't want it to produce lots more snails and you're too kind (pussy) to kill it I offer a free snail disposal service check out the Buy Sell & swap forum!

The chances of one snail reproducing are pretty slim. Some snails can do this, but for the most part snails sold/"aquired" in the trade do not. Furthermore, a better solution to indiscriminate killing (and name calling) would be not to over feed. Snails (assuming there is more than one) reproduce based on the amount of food available. Over feed, and you risk a huge population of snails. Don't over feed and have only one snail, you won't have a problem.

Which shape is standard snail shape in your view? Similar to a ball, like a coil or ramshorn or a trumpet. There really isn't a "standard" snail shape.

\Dan

 

[fishyyy]

Now, there are 2 snail.
I can describe them better, since they were on the glass and i can see them.
They are both brown, and in some parts see through.
One is smaller, and one is about twice the other one's size.
They have the antennea things.
The fish try to eat them sometimes.

 

[Da_Oz]

Pond snails are brown(red to black) and can be clear looking and round. They do not have a trap door on there foot. They breath and lay eggs under water. Eggs are clear jelly with white eggs. They only get about the size of a large pea.

Ramshorn snails are brown (mostly dark browns) and round but have more length than a pond snail. They get about the same size as a grape.


Both can eat plants, ramshorn are more likely doing this. Pond snails as said will not reproduce unless there is food for them, overfeeding, lots of algae, or soft leaf plants. Ramshorn can in some cases reproduce more than is needed.

I have ponds snails in all my tanks are very welcome to stay there. They keep the food in the bottom from rotting, eat algae. If you get to many or food amount drops or if the water gets to bad they will crawl out and look else where for food and better living area.