java (black kuhli) loach and snails

[maaltan]

I have just noticed i have snails. They appear to be common pond snails. I am almost sure they came in on my anacharis.

How fast do they grow? i only got the plant about 3 weeks ago and i've already got about 3-4 1/4-3/8" snails.

I also have 5 java loaches skulking in the darkness but they appear to have gotten fat and lazy since ive found they like the sinking shrimp pellets. They are supposed to eat snails right? I don't mind a few since there is plenty of algae available for them to clean for me. But i dont want them taking over and marrying my daugher (sorry quote from a funny snail thread couldnt resist )

Since i have been feeding them the pellets they have stopped thier dancing around dusk. They just skulk where the particles of shrimp willl float under a particular plant. They seem healthy, just lazy. they will move when prodded and will bury in the substrate when im cleaning.

I have discontinued shrimp pellet feeding. maybe they will get hungry and attack a few snails. Also, will they eat shell and all or only the gooey center.
Once i find a few hollow shells i will start feeding them some more.

 

[OrionGirl]

Some loaches don't really go after snials, but mine certainly do. I wouldn't worry much about a few snails--if the tank is maintained well, you'll never get very many snails anyway. Those you see likely all came in on the plants, and are just now large enough to see.

If they do go after them, they'll leave the shells--they suck the flesh out, don't even break the shells up.