Small Red Snails Every Morning...

[Blaizze]

Alrite, my tank has been going very nicely for the last while, I have about 20 guppy fry in it, and another 10 or so that are larger then the new borns... and then the 3 adults... I also have one Gold Gourami, 8 Neons and 3 Otos (Which don't seem to touch the algae on the glass, only plants)

Now, I added new plants about 2 or so weeks ago, and the last 4 or 5 days, everytime I turn on the light, I am finding these little SMALL RED SNAILS... or they look like snails at least.... the shell is not that big... they are small... I'm talking a 1/4 to an 1/8 of a dime....

I am removing about 2-4 a day, then the next day I see more.. I just removed 2, now I see 2 more sorta under the rocks a bit.

Whats going on with this snail explosion, Im sure it came from the plants but what are the negative effects of them and how can I rid myself of them.

I can't even diagnose which species they are.... they are red.... 2 brown antennas but they look almost flat... no big shell or anything.

Please help here... thanks

[Sploke]

Are you sure they're not limpets? Limpets are flattish but similar to snails.

http://members.aol.com/mkohl2/Fwlimpets.html

[Blaizze]

I dont think so... they dont look like a limpet shell... look snailish...

I might try to take a picture but theyre small and seem to hide when I put the lights on...

[plah831]

they could be red ramshorn snails, if they are coiled. If they are ice cream cone shaped, they are some kind of trumpet snail (those are the ones that commonly bury into the substrate during the day and only emerge at night).

You're right, they are common hitchhikers on plants. A good way to get rid of them (although I personally like snails, I breed ramshorns) is to either reduce feedings and change water a lot (less nutrients equals less extra food for snails), or put in a piece of lettuce or zucchini or other veggie and let them get attracted to it. Let it sit overnight, and early in the morning remove the veggies and it should have tons of snails on it. Repeat as necessary.

I'm guessing they came in as eggs on your plants. Now they hatched and are growing, so they are small. My newborn snails are the size of a pinhead (0.5 mm) so all snails do go through a period of being the size you're reporting.

[Blaizze]

they could be red ramshorn snails, if they are coiled. If they are ice cream cone shaped, they are some kind of trumpet snail (those are the ones that commonly bury into the substrate during the day and only emerge at night).

You're right, they are common hitchhikers on plants. A good way to get rid of them (although I personally like snails, I breed ramshorns) is to either reduce feedings and change water a lot (less nutrients equals less extra food for snails), or put in a piece of lettuce or zucchini or other veggie and let them get attracted to it. Let it sit overnight, and early in the morning remove the veggies and it should have tons of snails on it. Repeat as necessary.

I'm guessing they came in as eggs on your plants. Now they hatched and are growing, so they are small. My newborn snails are the size of a pinhead (0.5 mm) so all snails do go through a period of being the size you're reporting.

Ok, it could be a Red Ramshorn...

http://www.fishpondinfo.com/photos/mollusks/othersnails/redram2.jpg

But I cant find any images of them as babies, and it doesnt have a shell like that on it... some of them are larger then others.. little sneaks...

I just hear so much about overpopulation of snails...

Guess I need to research the benefits and negative effects of snails.

[Chickieepooh2u]

Wow I'd never heard of Limpits. They are just cool!!

I'm putting my money on little pond or ramshorns myself. Snails are a good thing. Don't fight them. lol They are also tasty little snacks for your fishies. (especially when they're tiny and have soft shells)

[plah831]

I personally belive snails provide more benefit than harm. They do a killer job on algae and clean up well after fish, all without adding much waste themselves (compared to algae-eating fish).

As I said, their populations are easily controlled by not overfeeding and keeping up with your tank cleanings.

Read this article on general snail care and how to influence their population size
http://www.aquariumboard.com/forums/articles/27-begginners-guide-snails-fw.html

[plah831]

Wow I'd never heard of Limpits.
limpets are common in marine tidepools. They are related to snails (also mollusks), but their shells are more volcano-shaped (dont' know how to describe it) They also crawl around on a big, slimy, muscular foot and are also great grazers.

[tmtpowers]

Could also be a baby canas snail: http://www.applesnail.net/content/photographs/pomacea_can_babies.jpg

[plah831]

wow, those are really red! Aren't canas snails a kind of apple/mystery? They're gold when they grow up, right?

[Mgamer20o0]

they look the same as some of the ones in my tank. make sure you dont over feed your fish and they will stay under control. they are good for the tank. they clean the glass and eat extra food.

[tmtpowers]

wow, those are really red! Aren't canas snails a kind of apple/mystery? They're gold when they grow up, right?

Canas are a type of large plant eating apple snail. When babies, their intestines are red due to the stuff (yeah, couldn't think of the name LOL) they eat while in the pinkish egg clutch. When grown canas can be gold, brown, or striped.

[plah831]

thanks for the info, tmt!

Blaize, I just saw some of my younger ramshorns and they don't look like their parents. Probably because their shells are smaller, the coiling looks different. They look almost like miniature mystery snails (with coiling coming out toward the side).

[ET1]

I ended up with a lot of snails after hitchhiked in on a plant. Every now and again I'll squash one against the glass. My fish swarm and chow them right down! Its a tasty treat for all of them. My catfish just love them!

[fballguy]

I've never heard of freshwater limpets before. Anyone know where I could get a couple for my tank?