Goldfish will eat snails, correct?

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dereks

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Mar 7, 2006
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Goldfish will eat snails, correct? I was under the impression they will. I put some gold fish in the other day and still see some snails running around, not that I expect them to hunt them, just curious if they will eventually take care of the problem.
 

dbosman

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Dec 5, 2010
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East Lansing, MI USA
Some will eat snails small enough to get in their mouths.
Some develop intestinal blockages from the basically indigestible shells.

Trapping and removing the snails is the safest method of removal.
 

dereks

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Mar 7, 2006
448
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How do you trap them? I have a planted aquarium so I don't think they'd be more attracted to the bait in the trap than they would be to the plants, is this a safe assumption?
 

dbosman

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Dec 5, 2010
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East Lansing, MI USA
You trap snails using vegies - After you back off on feeding. They are a symptom, not a disease. Over feeding is the disease.

Cut a thick slice of zucchini or cucumber. Stick a fork in it so it will stay on the bottom. In the morning, or every few hours during the day, pull it out and scrape off the snails. Replace and repeat. The goal is to get them under control, not rid the tank entirely.

For some of the carnivorous pests, strips of fish work well.
 
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