What is this snail?

[ADelphi]

I have ramshorns snails in my tank but noticed a new guy a week or so ago and he is a big fella, well as big as my small finger nail.

His shell seems see through and speckled but it could of been damaged by sterazin.

Give me a clue friend or foe for my planted tank. He seems busy eating algae.

I've been looking on ---> http/www.applesnail.net/

 

[Teelie]

I have a bunch of those. Some kind of pond snail I think. Breed like mad but as far as I know these particular snails don't bother plants. Or they just didn't bother with the last vestiges of the ones I had.

 

[Adistar]

It looks like a common pond snai, which most likely comes on live plants.

MY planted tank was infested with them, they populate like crazy

 

[SirMinion]

Yes it is indeed a common pond snail Limnaea sp, possibly Limnaea stagnalis characterised by the semi translucent shell with spotting around the edge.

These snails eat rotting vegatable matter and algae. They will leave healthy plants alone unless they are VERY hungry.

They reproduce sexually which means that if you only have one you won't get overrun with them!

They are Martha's favourite food. A friend recently cleaned out his pond and gave us a bucket containing more than 250 of these snails, some as big as brussels sprouts.
Martha got through them all in a little over a week!

 

[Teelie]

It only takes one fertilized female to overrun a tank though.

 

[ADelphi]

I think my population of snails is growing, I've now counted 15 ramshorn snails, they've all come out since i've removed the aquarium salt in my tank.

SirMinion This snails shell is so delicate i can actually see it's heart beating, its quite pretty.

I think i may need a fish that eats snails to readdress the balance in my tank though.

Any suggestions for a uk 28 gallon. I'm going to search and look as well because i bet alot of people have snail problems with a planted tank.

And thankyou for the replies

 

[Teelie]

Keep the amount of leftover food under control and the snails will regulate their reproduction.

 

[rain-]

I would say its Lymnaea peregra, common pond snail, and not Lymnaea stagnalis (stagnalis is much larger and has more pointed spire). I let them live in my heavily planted tank and they don't eat plants, just algae, but I am a weirdo and like all the snails. They can overrun the tank quite easily especially if you tend to overfeed even a little.

 

[SirMinion]

It only takes one fertilized female to overrun a tank though.

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Good point, some snail species carry little 'packets' of sperm that they use over a period of time, so it is entirely possible to get a population from one 'Eve' snail.

I would say its Lymnaea peregra, common pond snail, and not Lymnaea stagnalis (stagnalis is much larger and has more pointed spire).

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Fair enough, so many snails look so alike!

 

[houndour]

I think i may need a fish that eats snails to readdress the balance in my tank though.

Any suggestions for a uk 28 gallon. I'm going to search and look as well because i bet alot of people have snail problems with a planted tank.

Look into loach aka botia. I personally have 3 botia striata and they have done a great job. Just note that a lot of loach grow quite big and they like to be in groups.

 

[ADelphi]

I'm going to introduce 3 queen loaches to keep the ramshorn snails under control, i fear they may take over my tank as they are prolific breeders. I read before ramshorns didn't breed when salt is present in the tank, now its gone they are every where, i do have some really nice red ones.

Queen Loach ---> http/www.petresources.net/fish/cyprinid/bot_dar.html

 

[mattbeau]

those look like cool loaches, now I want a pair...lol


but alas I would have to get rid of the neons I have.

I also have a snail population semi under control, I would just rather the population get out of control in my little six gallon, which is where I want the snails instead of the community.

not that i dont mind them as they are great food for my puffer, just not in the community any more.