What Fish Eat Snails?

[bennett418]

Right i had a lovely pest snail free tank, never had one, just my apple snails, all great

then bought some plants (which i always inspect best i can) but have now got beginnings of loads of these things turning up,

i want to buy some fish that are not just gonna eat the eggs but will eat the snails complete

what can i get???

thanks

 

[Miss Wiggle]

for which tank, how big is it and what are the other inhabitants?

 

[sophos9]

Clown loaches are the best for snails but please take into account the question above ^

 

[jon17]

When i see snails in my tank i burst them and nearly all my fish have a bite

 

[Miss Wiggle]

When i see snails in my tank i burst them and nearly all my fish have a bite

some snails release eggs when you do that and it can increase the infestation

 

[stue0]

Orange finned loaches are good for this too, mine eat any they can find!! but on if tank big enough???

 

[bennett418]

Thanks for all the replies, the tank in question would be the 19.5 gallon one, size is 30x15x12

I do think that clown loaches may get too large for this?

My lfs sell clown loaches that are currently a max of 1 1/2 first are these babies? and how long before they out grow the tank?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

ok your already pretty much fully stocked on that tank as it is so nothing too big.

yes clown loaches do get large.

look into pygmy chain loaches, they stay small and eat snails. just get a pair

 

[Arfie]

If the snails are in either of the tanks listed in the OP signature clown loaches are too big long term. They grow slowly and will likely grow to 9" or so, but they may be OK in a tank that size for a year or so. You shouldn't buy a fish knowing it will be too big for your tank unless you KNOW you are getting a bigger tank in a suitable time or you have a guaranteed home for them.

For the 17 or 19 Gallon tanks, stick with smaller loaches, my personal favourites are Bengal (or Queen) Loaches - Botia Dario, they stay fairly small and are not aggressive with other tank mates, though they like to be in groups of 3 or more. There are other small loaches that can do the same thing but I don't have personal experience of them such as chain loach, yoyo loach but check their suitability with people who keep them.

Arfie

 

[bennett418]

The stocking has been fine, i did have all the fish that are in smaller tank in there and all my readings etc were sweet, though i do have extra filter and do water changes every week.

how large do they get?

ok thanks i will look into it.

thanks

 

[bennett418]

Also to add Long term i will get a larger tank...

 

[fishstick]

.......or you could look for Zebra loaches which are attractivly striped, finish your snail problem, are entertaining to watch and don't grow too big.