griff Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Hello, When I established my pond a few months back, I was given 4 snails. Now I have loads and loads. They are about as big as your fingernail and brown/green in colour. I heard they were good for cleaning algae off surfaces. I don't have a latin name for them, I'm afraid. Recently I noticed that the surface of many plants - underside of leaves and stems - have 'deposits' of clear jelly-like substance with what look like eggs embeded in it. At first I thought they might be goldfish eggs, but then I remembered that goldfish eggs have a dark spot in the centre of them if they are fertile. None of these deposits have a dark spot - they are all clear/transculent. Are these deposits of snail eggs? (I'm going to be over-run if they are!). Does a surfeit of snails in a pond have a deleterious affect? The pond is filtered and about 5,500 litres. I have some goldfish and some plants, all of which seem to be currently thriving - have just noticed my first fry!! Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefish Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 The jelly things will definitly be snail eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Does a surfeit of snails in a pond have a deleterious affect? Oh you MUST post more frequently! I love imaginative language :bounce: Remember all animals have many more offspring than can possibly grow to adulthood (am up to that page of The Origin of Species at the moment!). Survival of the fittest as well as eggs/baskets and whatnot. They are definitely not a problem in a pond. Mostly people complain about them in tanks as they find them aesthtically displeasing, but in a pond you won't notice them. I love snails, aquatic and terrestrial! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griff Posted February 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Oh you MUST post more frequently! I love imaginative language :bounce: Thanks for the compliment, Stella. Most people just think I'm pompous but I think that the Englsih language is just the most marvellous thing?! I guess when the pond has more snails than it can cope with, some kind of balance will occur. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 I enjoy proper English too What size is the pond? Snails, on the whole, will have a beneficial effect in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griff Posted February 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 I enjoy proper English too What size is the pond? Snails, on the whole, will have a beneficial effect in there. Thanks. The pond is around 5,500 litres- 400mm deep and filtered. So far I have some plants, 11 fish that can be easily seen due to thier size, loads of snails and, an as yet, inderminate number of fry, about which i'm very excited!! (I need to work out how to embed a photo of my pond into an email. I had a look but can't see where the guidance notes are for this on the site. Any one know where to look?). Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 It's a sticky under Freshwater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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