Snails VS. Shrimp

**abraham3660** · 12-28-2009, 10:40 PM

Hi, it's me again. I know ive been posting alot, but im really want to set up my tank rite this time. I thought of another question i would like to ask all of you. I have a 20 gallon aquarium, and i was wondering if i should get snails or shrimp. I heard snails take over your tank very fast, and is there any problem with shrimp, and what kind of shrimp should i get? Please suggest which is better and why. Thank you for all your help!

**KatzeSlaugen** · 12-28-2009, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by abraham3660

Hi, it's me again. I know ive been posting alot, but im really want to set up my tank rite this time. I thought of another question i would like to ask all of you. I have a 20 gallon aquarium, and i was wondering if i should get snails or shrimp. I heard snails take over your tank very fast, and is there any problem with shrimp, and what kind of shrimp should i get? Please suggest which is better and why. Thank you for all your help!

not all snails will take over check out mystery snails or red cherry shrimp you may like one or the other i personally love the mystery snails

**little hawaii** · 12-28-2009, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by abraham3660

Hi, it's me again. I know ive been posting alot, but im really want to set up my tank rite this time. I thought of another question i would like to ask all of you. I have a 20 gallon aquarium, and i was wondering if i should get snails or shrimp. I heard snails take over your tank very fast, and is there any problem with shrimp, and what kind of shrimp should i get? Please suggest which is better and why. Thank you for all your help!

Abraham: Ask away, thats what this forum is all about. A wise man seeks much councel. You could get an apple snail, they are golfball size and will useually not reproduce in your tank. If they do they are getting expensive now and you could sell them easy. I personally would go for some Amano shrimp, they are all so much fun to watch though, and there are lots of kinds and lots of prices too. Regular snails are a paIN THE

They usually come home with us for free on plants. Most loachs will eat them all though. Shrimp are my pick.

**Lab_Rat** · 12-28-2009, 11:14 PM

There are many different types of snails and shrimp. Not all snails will reproduce like crazy. Nerite snails are a good option for eating algae and will not reproduce in freshwater. Apple snails get large and have a large bioload. The smaller snails include mts, ramshorn, and pond snails. They have their plusses and minuses and these three all reproduce quite quickly, especially if the tank is overfed. Assassin snails are useful for eating other snails and are quite pretty.

There are many types of shrimp. Red cherry shrimp (RCS) are quite beautiful but stay tiny and are likely to be eaten by many tankmates. CRS (crystal red shrimp) are quite expensive. Amano shrimp are great for a planted aquarium. Bamboo shrimp are filter feeders who are great for a planted community that is well established. Ghost shrimp are probably your best bet as they are cheap and readily available. They need brackish water to reproduce so they will not take over your tank.

**sheamurai** · 12-28-2009, 11:50 PM

Why is it either/or? They don't eat the same things - snail are good for algae control and shrimp are a great cleanup crew. No reason why you couldn't do both...

**annageckos** · 12-29-2009, 02:36 AM

Lab Rat gave you a good over view. I have both shrimp and snails in my tanks. For shrimp it will really depend on what fish you want to have as to what shrimp to get. Like stated, cherry shrimp will get eaten by most fish. Ghost shrimp, while not colorful, are interesting. I have ghost shrimp, MTS, red ramshorns, blue mystery snails and assain snails. No reason you can't mix them. But the assain snails will eat the others over time.