Snails

Is it worth getting snails into a tank?

I've heard people say that they help with managing waste & algae, but not sure if it is all that worth going into.

I've also been advised that snails with my Cory's is not a good combo. (?)

 

Never heard of snails with cory's being a problem, but hey, today I learnt that not all puffers puff I keep a FEW snails in my tanks but do remove a few with every water change which seems to keep them in check. I guess it depends on the number of snails you have as well as the type of snail....

 

Malaysian Trumpet Snails are awesome....good for any tank. They don't chomp plants, keep your substrate healthy and they are an excellent cleaning crew. Most of the times, you won't see them as they are buried under your substrate and you'll only have to remove some of the snails once in a while if you notice that there are seriously too many of them (ie, when they all come out to feed, they cover the substrate)

These snails are also survivors from loach attacks due to their burrowing abilities. So, go get some if you can

Cheers
Dale

 

Thanks Solex,

I will contact my LPS to see who's got.

 

Anyone know where i can get Malaysian trumpet snails in Jhb (roodepoort) area. LPS I contacted only have the "yellow/orange snail". I'm assuming they talking about the apple snail.

 

:bigsmile: That definitely sounds like something a LPS would say. They generally tend to have uneducated people (uneducated in fish keeping) there which is why they will have no idea what fish are compatible or how big they grow. :wondering:

 

Zoom,

Trust me, every pet shop has MTS. The reason they say they don't have it because they don't sell them. They give them away for free. They tell you they have apple snails because they sell them.

I suggest you go down to any petshop and get them for free. Pet shops try to get rid of them, so they will be more than happy to give them to you.

 

usually on the plants you buy from them

 

Hey Zoom

Do NOT get ramshorn snails!!!!!!!!!!

They must of been introduced to my setup through plants, and I did not introduce fish for two months, so their eggs where left unchecked!

I now have about a "million" so far they have left the plants alone.

I have introduced Acanthocobitis urophthalmus (mountain loach), and apple snails (who eat small ramshorns) so I will see how it goes.

Can anybody suggest any other forms of extermination?
And which botias work best?

I do not want clowns as they grow to large.

 

The thing with clowns is that they will grow rapidly in about 2 years to around 15cm. Thereafter, the growth slows down considerably. They are by far the best at clearing a tank of snails. You also need at least a group of 3, but 5 or more is better, because they are social fish and will just pine away if they have no company. Also don't buy them when they are smaller than 4cm. You can always trade them in at the LFS when your snail population is under control and you decide you don't want them anymore because of their size.

 

I guess, catching them is going to be a different story.....

 

Just to clarify my previous statement - I don't throw the snails I syphon out with the water letting them into our water system. I crush them and throw them outside for the birds etc to eat.......

 

Red tail botia cleaned my tank up in no time.

 

thanks brentnorm.

How many?

 

Cobus if you add retail botia to your tank you will come onto the forum asking why all of your fish live in one corner of the tank or are all dead. red tail botias are EXTREMELY agro and are to be avoided at all costs.

Rather go for clown loaches - remember they are social animals that needs to live in a school of 5 or more.

 

And when the clowns outgrow your tank you can pass them on to me :bigsmile:

 

Never had a problem with my red tail botia but I suppose I was just lucky then.

 

yea must have been - theres been a number of topics on their agro nature here and on other forums