Snails? um... very small but lots!

[d0nuT]

Hello! Me again!

Ok, my last post was about a white algae fuzz. The good news is that that seems to be disappearing,doing maintainance but, I think its being eaten by vey small (and very pretty, but that doesnt mean good does it? *asks hopefully*) snails.
They've got pink pearly shells, and are about two millimetres around at the moment. I count about 20 of that size and about 6 that are smaller than that.
Could they be eating the 'Fuzz' do you think? Also, I don't want to be overrun with snails now the 'Fuzz' seems to be under control, so any information on how to limit the number of snails, if they are indeed a good thing, would be much appreciated.
Oh and the tank is now only stocked with 5 panda cories, sadly one passed due to unkonwn causes . All the others seem fine though, still mooching about and eating normally.

Thank you for any help you can give me!

D

 

[Lucretia]

as to wether or not the snails are eating the fuzz i wouldnt know but if u want to keep the sanil population down or eventually eradicate it y not get yourself a dwarf pufferfish they are small enough to fit comfortably in your tank but when they get a little older they get a little agressive.

 

[daveedka]

Assuming pond or ramshorn snails (most common hitchhikers) they are usually a good thing. And snails do munch an many things that will help your clean-up efforts. The easy way to control population is to keep the tank clean, and don't overfeed. Snails multiply according to available food, excess fish food will promote population explosions, and also promote algae growth which becomes more excess snail food. Let them get a little bigger and try to give us a better description. that may narrow it down.

IMO buying a fish solely to deal with an issue in your tank is never a good practice. If you want a dwarf puffer or a loach, then by all means get one. however if neother was in your stocking plan before snails appeared, then don't get one now just because of snails. here is a great article on the subject
http://www.aquasource.org/CMS/modul...ns&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=58&page=1

Dave

 

[Lucretia]

thanks daveedka that article was most imformative :dance

 

[d0nuT]

thanks a lot I'll keep you posted

Thanks for all your help.

A puffer would not fit into my tank at all, was never going to be an option for me but thanks anyway!

I will try to have a closer look at them when they get bigger for you. For the moment, they just have very flat sideways shells with a pearly sheen to them.

Thanks for all your help
D

 

[Lucretia]

Dwarf puffers only grow to around 1.5 inches so i dont c y it wouldnt fit

 

[daveedka]

Dwarf puffers only grow to around 1.5 inches so i dont c y it wouldnt fit

It's not a matter of fit so much as a matter of planned stocking. Most people who want a DP in their tank have a DP in their tank already it's the same with loaches. They are awesome, but not everyone wants a tank with DP's or Loaches. All I am saying is that buying a fish solely for the purpose of controlling other factors in the tank is letting the tail wag the dog. I feel no differently about algea eaters, If you want to own the fish, and they fit your plans and stocking scheme great if they don't then don't get them IMO.

Even when intentions are to borrow/ buy a fish and then sell/return it after the fact, it doesn't usually work out the way we planned.
Dave

 

[TommyR]

As someone already said don't overfeed your fish. To catch some of the snails hang a cucumber slice from a veggie clip in the tank. The snails will cover it. Hold a net under the slice and lift the clip, the snails will fall into the net. There is a photo of this somewhere but I forget where, the slice was COVERED in snails!

Tom

 

[Lucretia]

Daveedka when i said about the dp fitting i was saying that in response to

A puffer would not fit into my tank at all, was never going to be an option for me but thanks anyway!

i fully understand what it is you are trying to put through about what fish u decide u want and those that u get for a sole purpose.

 

[daveedka]

Gothca, I imssed that one.
Dave