Pleco vs. Trumpet Snail

E

Eastside Game

AC Members
Dec 14, 2010
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Hello Guys,
I have a question. I am a new aquarium hobbyist and I recently began thinking about buying an algae eater. So i was wondering what would be better to have: a pleco or a trumpet snail. I have a 10 gallon tank but planning to start a 20 gallon one once i move by the end of the month. In it i have some mollies and platies.
 
what are your opinions and experiences with these algae eaters? any other suggestions for an algae eater?

thank you
 
What timing. I was just "admiring" my trumpet snails. Sorry for the lengthy story, but .....

Long Version:
I was at a swap meet a few years ago and saw a guy with tons of ziplock bags he called "MTS" (Malaysian Trumpet Snails). I though they looked neat and thought I would get some to put in my four tanks. I picked up four bags (10 snails each bag) for $1/bag. He asked how many tanks I had and refused to sell me more than one bag. He snickered "I always come to this swap. See me in 3 months if you still want more".

Sometimes my gravel looks alive with hundreds of snails. Most of the time, they stay hidden in the substrate. But other times, they look like maggots wiggling in a trash dumpster in Florida in July.

Short Version:
I'd go with the plecos.
 
I wouldn't go with either, actually. Manual removal is always a better option than introducing an animal to do a job. Beyond that, many fish sold as plecos will handily and quickly outgrow your tank, and the ones that will actually fit are in the great minority. Whatever you decide to get, I'd research on planetcatfish.com before making any purchases, and ensuring that you will be able to properly feed whatever species you go with. Bristlenoses and otocinclus both fit in a 20, but only the otos would fit in a 10, and even then, not without some special treatment.
 
What kind of algae are you talking about? Is it the green type that grows on the glass and decor? If so then I suggest a few nerite snails. They are the best algae eaters I know of! They will live in but wont reproduce in fresh water so you wont have a snail explosion like drdud did with the MTS!LoL!
 
NYCguppydude said:
What kind of algae are you talking about? Is it the green type that grows on the glass and decor? If so then I suggest a few nerite snails. They are the best algae eaters I know of! They will live in but wont reproduce in fresh water so you wont have a snail explosion like drdud did with the MTS!LoL!
Click to expand...

I have to agree, they're the best. Always munching away on the glass or plants, etc.
 
Inka4040 said:
I wouldn't go with either, actually. Manual removal is always a better option than introducing an animal to do a job. Beyond that, many fish sold as plecos will handily and quickly outgrow your tank, and the ones that will actually fit are in the great minority. Whatever you decide to get, I'd research on planetcatfish.com before making any purchases, and ensuring that you will be able to properly feed whatever species you go with. Bristlenoses and otocinclus both fit in a 20, but only the otos would fit in a 10, and even then, not without some special treatment.
Click to expand...

+1. Bristlenose need some driftwood in the tank to help them digest food too. Otos make a great clean up crew IME and don't take up as much space as plecos.
 
I would go with Otos. I keep 3 of them in my 10 gallon with platies and they do a good job of eating algae!
 
I agree with what inka said.

I've never been a fan of otos when it comes to eating algae. IME they wont go after anything too hard, or slimy, or bushy...which leaves out a lot of different types.

I have no experience with nerites, although they are pretty popular. Would be a better option in terms of bioload and the care they need though compared to a pleco or some otos.
 
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