ramshorn morality?

Give him back to your friend maybe? From my understanding Ramshorn snails are actuly pretty good for planted tanks as they dig through the substrate airaiting it and mixing it up. I've also heard they are pretty good at eating alge and what not off the plants without hurting the plants.

OF All the snails you could get Ramshorns are IMO the most fun. However if it doesn't fit your plans then I wouldn't keep it. If you don't know anyone who owns a loach, and puffer, or a cichlid, then I'd give it back to your friend. I can tell you that any fish you have would greatly appreciate you smashing the shell. Other than die hard herbivores, fish love snails its just that most fish haven't figured out how to unwrap them. As far as Morality, I've honestly never considered that an issue with an animal who fits in the same class as blood worms, daphnia, Crickets etc. Don't get me wrong abuse would be unnaceptable, but using him for food should not be IMO.


I would not wait to decide, there will be more if there is food in the tank.
Dave

I think that that may be the first time I've seen the singular of ramshorn snail. I could probably find a dozen without straining too hard in my 33g.

We are talking ramshorn snails right, little guys, don't get much bigger than about 1/4", maybe just shy of 1/2"? I think I'd feel kinda funny bringing that back to someone, they really are very useful, they don't burrow though, not to my knowledge or experience (I think A7ESF is thinking of Malasian Trumpet Snails), but they do eat algae and keep the tank clean. As Dave sais, they're fun to watch too, really active little guys and pretty fast moving, well, for a snail.

If you don't want him crush him (I don't think it would take a hammer, just your fingers should be plenty of force).

Happychem is correct, I was thinking the wrong snail. Thats what I get for staying up too late and reading posts.

Common ramshorn snails can make an inch, but rarely do in hobby tanks, and correct - they do not dig.

dont smash him

if you havent already dont dont dont smash it especially in the tank this will release any eggs that it would be carrying. I thought this the best answer with mine and ended up with hundreds of snails in my 10 gal and it was so bad that i could actually see snail larva swimming around in the substrate. Nothing was interested in them not even cichlids pick him out and let him die. or get a loach that you can give away later and move your other snails.

if you havent already dont dont dont smash it especially in the tank this will release any eggs that it would be carrying.

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I find this very hard to believe, not to mention that the eggs wil need some time to develope once laid, and if your fish eat the snail, they will inevitably eat the eggs as well. I would guess there were already snail eggs somewhere when you smashed your snail swt2th.

I thought this the best answer with mine and ended up with hundreds of snails in my 10 gal

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I hate to be the one to say this, but this is a definate sign of a husbandry issue, since snails will only reproduce to match available food levels, I would guess there were huge amounts of food, algea, or decomposing material available. It is really difficult to get a good population of snails built up in a clean 10 gallon tank. I have put a lot of effort into trying to cause a population explosion in my ten, and it isn't easy.

i could actually see snail larva swimming around in the substrate.

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The last time I checked, snails were formed including shells when they hatched. a magnifying glass will reveal this pretty well while they are still in the egg cluster. When they hatch they generally dissapear into the substrate until they get a thicker shell and grow a little, but they do not swim nor do they appear to be larva. This is another sign of a dirty tank. Planara, nematodes, daphnia, something was swimming, but not snails. any and all of these little critters will show up in high numbers in tanks that are not clean. They like snails are a sign of excess organics (i.e. food)

As far as loaches, they are great if they fit into your stocking plans, so are puffers if they fit into your plans. Otherwise it would be unwise IMO to buy a fish you don't plan to keep. More often than not fish end up dead, or stunted in these situations.
Dave

Someone at the LFS recomended "those little snails we have in our tanks" to help along with my planted tank and burrowing in the gravel. How can I tell if they are malaysian trumpet snails or something less benefecial (or so i gather trumpet snails are one of the best?)

MTS look like little ice cream cones, and burrow into the substrate. Ramshorns look like a flat coil, pond snails look somewhat like a pointy football. I think they are all beneficial in different ways and have a place in a planted tank, none are harmful to plants TMK. MTS will keep the substrate loosened, pond snails and ramshorns will munch away at algae and snails (ramshorns in particular) can be a great food source for some fish like loaches and puffers. They can be crushed and fed to fish that aren't adept at removing them from their shells.