View Full Version : Ramshorn Snails
Hi everyone,
I picked up a few of these Ramshorn Snails to help control the algae last week. I have read that they are good algae eaters and can attest to that. I am a little bit concerned now though. In one of my books it states that though they eat algae, they also eat the plants and can be largely responsible for hole-ridden specimen. Since I completely cleaned out my tank, they have been eating my crypts. I have also noticed several batches of eggs from these guys. I have three botia striatas for the purpose of snail control, but I haven't really had the chance to put them to the test. What do you guys think? Will I soon be infested with plant eating snails and I should get rid of them before they become a problem. Or should I let everything ride and see what happenns?
Colombian Ramshorns (which are in fact apple snails and do eat plants) or common Ramshorns, which do not eat plants?
I'm not sure. The sign did't specify which type. I'm going to the LFS to get some angels tomorrow and will ask then. The only thing I could add at this point is that they are "ram horn" shaped and are a light brown color with dark stripes that follow the curve of the rams horn shape.
Colombian Ramshorns, which are avid plant eaters. Return them if you want any plants.
See: http://www.applesnail.net/
david451
10-14-2003, 3:02 PM
The big ones do the most damage, and can also lay a seemingly impossible amounts of eggs, i moved my bigs ones to a 10 gallon tank and give them my plant trimmings, then move the baby ones back into my large tank, seems to work pretty well and i havn't seen any damage for awhile. They do seem to love crypts, chew them off right at the stems.
Jamie, you may have created a monster!!!!
They are nearly impossible to get rid of once they start laying eggs. Many of us work Hard at keeping them out of the tanks.
Len
PumaWard
10-16-2003, 4:42 PM
May I just add that maybe you should get some Malaysian Trumpet Snails... since I accidently got them with some plants... I haven't seen a single baby Ram's Horn in any of my tanks with them. Only my older Ram's are left. Maybe you should try them?
Uh Oh!!! And I though I was helping out my algae eating crew! OK...so how about some quick help? I've removed the ramshorn snails. Well, I've found 4 of the 5. Hopefully the 5th will be found tonight as the lights are out. Once I get the snails out, what should I do about the eggs? There's about 5 different batches attached to my plants. Will manual removal be enough? Once the eggs are laid, how long till they hatch? This is gonna suck if I finally defeat the algae and now have to deal with unwanted snails.
-Jamie :(
Captain Hook
10-16-2003, 11:34 PM
Originally posted by Jamie
I have three botia striatas for the purpose of snail control, but I haven't really had the chance to put them to the test.
Why not just put the fish in to be sure. Plus it probably wouldn't be bad as food for em.
Locust
10-17-2003, 3:40 AM
Toss the botias in, they'll love you for it. :)
Good luck removing the snails. I had a pond snail infestation, and over a month later they are still cruising around my tank (though in greatly reduced numbers). ;)
The snails have fortified in my HOB filter, but I figure it makes a decent alternative food source and I don't see them too often. I hate snails, but it's not so bad when I know they're loach food. :)
I love having snails in my tanks. I have pond snails, and rams horn at least. So far they don't seem to do that much damage to my plants , preferring the older decaying leaves the most.
If you do wish to get rid of them place some lettuce in the tank and pick it out the next morning. It will be covered in snails. Do this every so often and the population will be kept under control.