Snails

[Mattant1984]

I'd like to try some snails in my tank but unsure what to go with as never really kept many before.

# I don't want eggs everywhere that I can't remove like the ones nerites lay.

# I don't want them to eat plants.

# I dont want them to breed excessively.

I would appreciate your ideas 💡 ☺️

 

[Garuf]

What do you want the snails to do?

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I'd like to try some snails in my tank but unsure what to go with as never really kept many before.

Malaysian Trumpet Snails (Melanoides tuberculata) are pretty bullet proof and <"would fulfil your criteria">.

cheers Darrel

 

[Mattant1984]

Hi all,

Malaysian Trumpet Snails (Melanoides tuberculata) are pretty bullet proof and <"would fulfil your criteria">.

cheers Darrel

Awesome thanks I'll do a little research on them 😀 😊

 

[_Maq_]

# I dont want them to breed excessively.

Snails can control their population. If food is scarce they quit breeding. Also, if they don't like physico-chemical conditions. So it's largely on the tank keeper to keep their numbers within limits.

 

[Mattant1984]

Snails can control their population. If food is scarce they quit breeding. Also, if they don't like physico-chemical conditions. So it's largely on the tank keeper to keep their numbers within limits.

Ahh OK didn't know that, so what types have you had good success with?

 

[Garuf]

It’s also what you want them for, snails for algae aren’t the same snails as snails for aesthetics, aren’t the same as decomposers.

For example viviparous snails will tick your box of no eggs, but you will find them usually larger and more specialist than say, a pond snail. Have a look here for inspiration:

Snails

Gone are the days when snails were considered pests in the aquarium. Similar to shrimp, they are becoming increasingly popular and have experienced…

www.garnelio.de

 

[jaypeecee]

# I dont want them to breed excessively.

Malaysian Trumpet Snails (Melanoides tuberculata) are pretty bullet proof and <"would fulfil your criteria">.

Hi Folks,

I have avoided Malaysian Trumpet Snails (MTS) in the past as I had been led to believe that the population can get out of control. If I remember rightly, they burrow in the substrate during the day and surface at night. Is that right? On the other hand, if they help to aerate the substrate, that's probably a good thing, I guess.

JPC

 

[_Maq_]

Ahh OK didn't know that, so what types have you had good success with?

Planorbarius corneus, common name the great ramshorn. For decomposition purpose.

 

[jaypeecee]

Also, if they don't like physico-chemical conditions...

Hi @_Maq_

So, what conditions/environment do MTS prefer/dislike?

JPC

 

[_Maq_]

According to my observations, they are reluctant to breed when pH is under 6.0. Also, I've got an impression that they like well-oxygenated water.
On the other hand, I don't believe they suffer in low Ca water, granted there's enough Ca in their food.

 

[Garuf]

Hi Folks,

I have avoided Malaysian Trumpet Snails (MTS) in the past as I had been led to believe that the population can get out of control. If I remember rightly, they burrow in the substrate during the day and surface at night. Is that right? On the other hand, if they help to aerate the substrate, that's probably a good thing, I guess.

JPC

I tried them and it’s worth noting they will turn aquasoil into slurry.

 

[Mattant1984]

It’s also what you want them for, snails for algae aren’t the same snails as snails for aesthetics, aren’t the same as decomposers.

For example viviparous snails will tick your box of no eggs, but you will find them usually larger and more specialist than say, a pond snail. Have a look here for inspiration:

Snails

Gone are the days when snails were considered pests in the aquarium. Similar to shrimp, they are becoming increasingly popular and have experienced…

www.garnelio.de

Thanks I will take a good look, my main want is for them to do well as a clean up crew

 

[Mattant1984]

What do you want the snails to do?

Basically clean up unwanted waste, food, algae etc

 

[sparkyweasel]

If I remember rightly, they burrow in the substrate during the day and surface at night. Is that right?

You can usually see a few out and about in the daytime (or photoperiod) but far more after lights-out.

 

[jaypeecee]

You can usually see a few out and about in the daytime (or photoperiod) but far more after lights-out.

Hi @sparkyweasel

Thanks for confirming my vague recollection. I'm pleased that I wasn't just imagining it!

JPC

 

[Simon Cole]

what conditions/environment do MTS prefer/dislike?

I too have been puzzling over this for a while. I had one population in a thin layer or standard aquarium gravel, and another currently in manado. Moderately hard water.
They flash mob up the sides of the glass at night and eradicate the algae, before disappearing back into the soil. It's a bit like those European cities that get completely cleaned every night by a seemingly invisible workforce.

 

[jaypeecee]

According to my observations, they are reluctant to breed when pH is under 6.0.

Hi @_Maq_

My guess is that not many people keep their tanks at less than pH 6.0. But, this is a good example that demonstrates the value of keeping an eye on pH.

JPC