Snail Hitch-Hiker ID Please

[Gable151]

So I bought some swords and noticed 4 of these guys roaming around my tank. They have some neat coloration on the shell. Im wondering what they are, and if they are going to eventually eat my plants?

 

[soobie]

They are pond snails, won't get very big, and won't eat living plants.

They do, however, reproduce like crazy if there's enough food. If you don't want them in the tank at all, start picking out any you see. If you don't overfeed the fish, they shouldn't become a problem.
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[Mgamer20o0]

agreed pond snails

 

[Cory Keeper]

yeah, those are pond snails, don't get big but can be a major PIA if allowed to breed. The population explodes if not carful. Not as much as a pest as much as people make them out to be.

 

[Gable151]

I dont think Ill mind them in the tank unless they start dying off and spiking my parameters. I suppose if they get to populous I could invest in a small loach.

 

[Gable151]

I have a fluval 305 on this tank. Do I need to cover the intake to keep snails out?

 

[msjinkzd]

they are definately pond snails, you could cover your intake if you are concerned about preserving them...really they won't overtake if you don't overfeed...my fish enjoy them as a crushed snack, i pick them off as i see them becoming more plentiful.

 

[nynikki]

At first I didn't think much of these snails and didn't mind having them around. But I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I have easily picked out 200 in a week, and found that some eggs had hatched in my fluval so there were another 100 in there, and I still see a few in the tank now. I will have to go hunting again this weekend. Not overfeeding is easier said then done when you are trying to feed the snails that you want in the tank. The biggest problem that I have with these little guys is they poop like crazy and leave a big mess on the leaves of the plants. Just something to consider.

 

[Gable151]

I think ill let them be for now. Im sure ill probably end up regreting it, but hey this forum will be here when i want advice on getting rid of them haha thanks for the info.

 

[Gable151]

UPDATE:
When i started this thread there were 4. Now.. 40!!! :huh: They are all very small and I can usually only see them in the morning when i flip the lights on. man i knew these were prolific but WOW! Think i see some loaches in my future..
Ive got a 45 gallon.. 36x12x24. I plan on having a pair of angels and a swarm of smaller fish like harlequins, and rummy noses (some of these are already in the tank)
Clowns are to big for the tank so im thinking YOYO's? Would they act as a good replacement for the cories that I was planning?