snails have appeared

[wijnands]

Yep, last night I suddenly noticed three small snails crawling in the tank. I think the last batch of plants I got from the shop must have carried some eggs. They're still a bit too small for an accurate ID but they look like malaysian livebearing snails to me.

Apart from the fact that most of the other species in my tank are south american I have no real issue with these. Should I?

[holbritter]

Depends on how you feel they look.
There are some benefits: gives it a more natural look (IMO) and they help keep the tank clean a little.
Of course the con is that they can overtake a tank! I keep mine...don't know which ones they are either...and when they start getting too much, I just take a bunch out.
I don't believe they hurt anything, and my fish just think they are interesting..lol
I've heard they will die off if you cut down on the fish food, because that's what they like to eat, but I definately don't think I feed too much, so I don't know about that.

[sergo]

yoyo loaches are your friend to get rid of snails. let them multiply for a bit then add a yoyo loach. you'll be amazed at how fast the snails disappear.

[wijnands]

Well... I don't think snails can become that much of an issue that I'm going to add another asian species to the tank. If they do multiply too much I'll start with the old cucumber trick.

[Chrona]

Malaysian trumpet snails are beneficial for planted tank, since they aerate the substrate and do not eat plants. Most people with planted tanks try to get them. As long as you don't overfeed, the population will be fine, although some people find it disturbing when their substrate moves around for no apparent cause when they are burrowing ;)

[xoolooxunny]

I have tons of the trumpet snails in my tank, and its obvious when i do a water change. They all come to the top of the substrate for some reason (dont like the cold water?) The only problem i have is on the back glass where i let some algae grow, the tiny babies flock to it. I just vacuum them off when i do a water change and it keeps the population controlled to just the substrate where i dont see them as much.

[gm72]

We have small snails in our 3 10 gallon tanks. I like to watch them, they keep everything really clean, and the population is controlled with water changes. Not sure what kind of snails they are though, maximum size seems to be about 1/4" or so, most are smaller though. I want to add some larger species to some of the other tanks.

[gm72]

We have small snails in our 3 10 gallon tanks. I like to watch them, they keep everything really clean, and the population is controlled with water changes. Not sure what kind of snails they are though, maximum size seems to be about 1/4" or so, most are smaller though. I want to add some larger species to some of the other tanks. Interestingly enough I was at Petco tonight browsing and saw some cool blue snails.

[gm72]

Accidental double-post. Please delete the first one? Lost power on my notebook and didn't realize I had hit "submit." Sorry!