Are snails neccesarily bad?

[Accipiter]

I have some snails that apparently hitch-hiked into my tank, there's about 10 of them at this point. I'm not sure what to do about them, I'd rather not kill them as I don't like hurting animals. I can't tell if they're damaging my plants or anything...here's a couple pictures.

[gregm]

Normally they only eat plants that are on the way out anyway (or leafs that are). I see no problem with them. I have an influx of them in my 40g and I always just grab a few and drop them into my 10g so my puffer can eat them.

[toddnbecka]

It's simply a matter of personal opinion, some folks love 'em, some folks hate 'em. They're usually harmless to plants, most species only eat dead leaves. They will help clean up leftover food, and will mainly reproduce according to how much of that is available. If you don't overfeed, they won't run amok.

[Marinemom]

They obviously came in on the live plants. They will over run the tank if you let the situation get out of control since they will breed like crazy. A few of them are fine to keep the tank clean but really you will need to get rid of most of them sooner then later so they do not cause a problem in your tank.

Marinemom

[gregm]

What would the big problem be?

[msjinkzd]

that there are lots of snails. I squish the excess and fish enjoy the treat. Typically if you gravel vac frequently, don't overfeed, and your plants are healthy the snails do not reproduce to excess.

[BigFishKeeper]

Snails are cool but all my fish would eat them.

[Accipiter]

Alright, thanks guys....they don't appear to be multiplying really...I count them every now and then.

[mr.key]

I have purse snails (like the ones pictured) ramshorn and MTS in my heavily planted tank. If I can see them and catch them during water changes, they are fish food and I also occasionally do the lettuce trick when the MTS seem to run amok as they are the hardest to catch.

Overall however I believe that snails are a net benefit as they rapidly indicate bad fishkeeping habits (overfeeding) eat the dead plant material (keep my vals pretty clean looking) eat some algae and provide some live food to the denizens (snail eggs and crushed). MTS also keeps the substrate from developing deadspots though does not provide egg meals.

[Hooked Newbie]

I'm from the pro-snail party. :)

I keep them in all my bare-bottom tanks intentionally for clean up. I also purposefully overfeed so they do multiply and use them as Loach / Catfish treats.

[Star_Rider]

I am a pro snail person too
I only really see them in the planted tanks.

I have MTS and ramshorns..they beat the pond snails out long ago.
they keep the tank pretty clean.

the MTS can run amok on planted tanks and not always because you over feed.
they are easy to catch tho.

[mdwalt1]

My clown loaches love it when snails hitch into the tank on a new plant I've bought. I've not only inherited snails this way, but I also benefitted with a few swordtail fry. Bonus!

[briggadane]

I think all your questions were answered except one.

At some point you have to consider if snails will count in the overall number of fish your tank can sustain. So, as much as many of us like them,we do have to weed them out here and there.

[dreadboy113]

Apple snails i don't see as a pest as long as you keep pickin the egg sacks off. Mts i absolutely hate. I leave food overnight in my tank for my plecs and every mornin i take the leftovers out with mts on it. But i never see them during the day but if i switch a light on at night they are everywhere.

[mooch4056]

I have 2 mystery snails -- they seem to be growing fast but havnt reproduced yet.....

if they reproduce too much many ways to eat them -- here is a great recipe


:perv::rofl:;)

ok -- so its not that funny .... still.......(shrugs)




Snails STUFFED MUSHROOMS
24 snails (1 can)
White wine
1/4 c. Panchetta, cooked & finely chopped
24 lg. mushrooms
2 sticks butter
2/3 c. chopped garlic
1/2 c. chopped parsley
2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
Dash Worcestershire sauce
1/3 c. finely chopped almonds
2 tsp. white pepper

Simmer snails in white wine for 30 seconds. Drain and set aside. Divide Panchetta among mushroom caps. Top with escargot. Combine remaining ingredients. Cover each escargot with mixture. Bake at 500 degrees for 10 minutes. Serve with French bread slices.

[OhioOilMan]

My clown loaches Love snails, they usually dont last long in my tank.

[Lupin]

My clown loaches Love snails, they usually dont last long in my tank.
Invertebrates are naturally on the loaches' menu. It's not surprising they would eat the snails. I wonder if my habit of keeping several loaches makes me an enemy of the inverts.:lipssealedsmilie:

[pixl8r]

Yes, you are the Anti-Invertebrate.

[thebullit]

snails can be good for any tank as they do clean up algae, and dead plant matter. over feeding and neglect will lead to a population growth.

[FSM]

I have a few Malaysian burrowing snails in my 75...I never see any, except at night. I crushed one and fed it to my GT. I don't think they will hurt anything, so don't worry about them.