What Kind Of Snail?

[BettaBoysGirl]

I've been considering getting a snail or two for my aquariums. Would love it if they munch on my brown algae I always seem to fight with. I don't want any that are hermaphodites (be my luck, I'd get a population explosion), and I don't want any that munch on my plants. Does any such snail match this criteria? I currently have Panda Cories and zebra danios in one tank, and Julii cories, cardinal tetras, and guppies in another. So, think snails would be ok with these fish?

 

[VaegaVic]

I've been considering getting a snail or two for my aquariums. Would love it if they munch on my brown algae I always seem to fight with. I don't want any that are hermaphodites (be my luck, I'd get a population explosion), and I don't want any that munch on my plants. Does any such snail match this criteria? I currently have Panda Cories and zebra danios in one tank, and Julii cories, cardinal tetras, and guppies in another. So, think snails would be ok with these fish?

Zebra Nerite Snails and Apple Snails tick all those boxes.
Nerites are hermaphrodites but, they can't breed in fresh water.

 

[BettaBoysGirl]

Ok, How do you feed them? I know what you feed them, how do you do it? Like if all the algae is gone. I have other fish that could out run the poor snail, I want to make sure he gets his own food.

 

[Donya]

As a long time keeper of apple snails, I have to say don't buy them specifically to perform algae control. If you want one because they're cool animals, then go for it - but you'll probably have to find another algae solution. Apple snails are omnivores and, if sufficient other food is present, they usually do very little towards cleaning up nuissance algae. They also make a large amount of waste for their size and will add considerably to a tanks' bioload. Many apple snail species will chow down on live plants, but Pomacea diffusa (the only common species in the US pet trade due to recent USDA laws) usually doesn't.

Nerites are more likely to eat algae, but can be picky eaters in that regard, so it may be hit and miss depending on what's growing in your tank. It's also important to note that not all "freshwater" Nerite species (and even individuals within a species) that make it into the pet trade will thrive in freshwater. Some individuals will constantly try to escape a freshwater tank until the salinity is raised. Once at a salinity they like, they stay submerged. Make sure you identify the species you're getting before you buy it and that the snails have been happy to stay submerged for a while in the store's tank.

Nerites are hermaphrodites

What source is this from? Everything I have read on various Nerite species describes them as having separate sexes rather than being hermaphrodites.