"pest" snails, beneficial?

fballguy · Jan 29, 2007

I just wanted to get people's thoughts on the subject. Do you think pond snails, common ramshorns, and malaysian trumpet snails are beneficial for an aquarium, or bad for an aquarium?

Personally, I love having them in my aquarium. I have all 3 species, it has been almost quite a while now and they have yet to even come close to overpopulating. They get down into the java moss to eat any food that falls through where fish can't get it, and they keep the glass absolutely spotless. I feel that as long you vacuum once a week and as long as you don't overfeed, the snails do not have enough food to supply a huge colony, and the won't overpopulate the tank.

Thoughts?

Twill · Jan 29, 2007

I agree. I have MTS and pond snails in my tank, and I think they are a valuable addition. Plus, I really enjoy watching them.

fishcatch22 · Jan 29, 2007

I also agree. they are quite good at cleaning my 5g, and since the glass is the only good place to lay eggs, I can always make sure the poipulation is uder control (as well as gravel vacuuming regularly.)

webcricket · Jan 29, 2007

I also keep pond snails and add them to any new tank I set up. As you said, they won't overpopulate so long as you don't overfeed the fish. Pond snails also won't eat plants (unless the plant is decaying). As an added bonus, they really will keep the glass pretty darn spotless!

I think small snails make the tank look natural.

Pepe · Jan 29, 2007

Is it possible to calculate the bioload of a population of snails?

skeletonhand · Jan 29, 2007

I like having "pest" snails in my tanks. They work good for cleaning the nooks and crannies bigger clean-up crew members have trouble with. MTS work good for keeping the substrate clean in my planted tanks.

SmallFishi · Jan 29, 2007

I'm undecided I think it would freak me out to see the gravel moving like it does at my LFS!! (MTS) I have brought a couple in on plants in my 20 gallon and i've taken them out as their shells are too hard for fig 8 puffers when they get full grown.
I have a breeder tank for pond snails to feed the puffer but so far the puffer is snail friendly and the ponds that I have put in for him to eat have layed eggs in with the puffer and are all living happily together... lol.
I don't mind the Pond Snails the MTS are pretty but scare me for some reason, definately the gravel moving thing.. lol

Hurley · Jan 29, 2007

While I'm not all that fond of pond snails, I love my my MTS. I have a pretty heavily planted tank so they do a wonder mixing up the substrate, eating extra food, and cleaning up any plant debris that may be in the tank that I can't reach with my syphon. I have some ramshorns but I don't think I would miss them if they disappeared.

wackydan · Jan 29, 2007

I have three different types myself. Several have gotten big and are quite fun to watch. Even though I think I overfeed at times, I don't seem to have too many snails.... eh, maybe it's a sign that I'm not.

I have no idea what my total population is.

bkw1982 · Jan 30, 2007

i luv my snails. i have pond, MTS, and red rams. luv watchin the ponds surf and free fall, rams add nice color to the tank, and MTS are just cool to watch dig, their like havin movin gravel. snails are both fun to watch and are a beneficial clean up crew and gravel fluffer.

it seemed at first tht the ponds were goin to rule the tank, then MTS had their turn, now the red rams are rulers. never had an "overpopulation of snails. helps tht my betta eats the eggs off the plants.

GO SNAILS!!!!


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"pest" snails, beneficial?

fballguy

yum

Twill

AC Members

fishcatch22

The Picotoper

webcricket

(So chill.) No wonder it's freezing

Pepe

AC Members

skeletonhand

Landscaper Extraordinaire

SmallFishi

I'm addicted to Aquaria Central!

Hurley

aka Bunny13

wackydan

Fun, not crazy.

bkw1982

I'M GOING TO ZOMBIELAND