Snails In Fish Tank

[whatwhat]

I have an awful lot of small snails in my tropical tank. Are they a beneficial eye sore, or do they cause problems? I don't really want to kill them.. But just checking they are not causing problems in the water!

[Lie-in King]

It seems they can be beneficial as they remove algae & uneaten fish food.

Is the following link of any use? -

http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/snailsandworms/a/killingsnals.htm

[B00]

I fish (no pun intended) them out and fling 'em over my garden wall.

[Clanad]

As already mentioned... but I would add that they can rapidly multiply and then[i you will have a problem.

We solved ours here in the U.S. by adding a Clown Loach ([i]Chromobotia macracanthus]... they do an amazing job of keeping the snails in check... leaving just enough of the slimy little critters to provide the vacuum service they do so well...

[divegirl]

Please do no just buy a Clown Loach to eat snails. The thrive better in schools of 6 and over and need a massive tank... a minimum of 50-60g

Try laying a lettuce leaf on top of the water, maybe attached to a magnetic tank cleaner over night. In the morning the snails will have congregated on it. Dispose of them as you see fit :)

Lisa x

[Clanad]

Well... I don't want to change this thread into a disagreement about a variety of fish... however, I would agree that a "group" of maybe 3 fish is desirable, but although the fish can get large, 12" or more, they grow quite slowly after an intitial surge in the first year. It's jhust that while "control" of the snails is desirable, they do perform a valuable service and shouldn't be entirely eliminated... th eLoaches will do that.

Hint: sometimes it's necessary to smash open the shell of one or two slime-makers so the Loach 'get's the idea' and discovers they are food!

By the way there are other, smaller varieties of the Loach, such as Zebra or Angelicus that only grow to a few inches in length when adults... just as good at enjoying a lunch of snails...

[Peaspeculiars]

Hi WhatWhat, Snails shouldn't be an issue, just an eyesore if you feel they distract from the fish. I love having snails in my aquarium as they keep the algae levels down.
If you don't want so many, try and dispose of the eggs that they lay (depends on the type of snail you have? Apple snails will lay above the water surface in 'clutches' of pink eggs - whereas many others lay underwater, mostly on the tank glass or plant foliage in lines of clear jelly like egg trails).
I give my apple snail clutches to the local pet shop and they give me free fish food/ plants in return. Try calling up your local shop and see if they want a few of yours? Have a look on ebay too - loads of people sell various varieties of snails on there too (just pack them securely with soaked cotton wool in a sturdy box and send 1st class) - a nice little earner for you perhaps?
If you want to keep the snails, try not to use certain medications within the tank as they often kill off the snails whilst helping the fish.
Hope this helps...

[sherrardk]

We've got some assassin snails to keep to other snail numbers down (but now the assassin snails are having babies).

[divegirl]

If you grow the Assassins out a bit you can sell them on Ebay :)

Lisa x

[sherrardk]

My daughter will be interested in this! Boy #2 has purposely bought dwarf chain loaches in the hope that they breed and he can sell them.

[B00]

lol, perhaps I should've put that i don't fling 'em into someone's yard, they go directly into the street.

[GypsyGSD]

I was told to keep snail population down put some lettuce tied on some string over night into the tank snails are drawn to it in the money remove the lettuce with the snails attached x