Dana Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 I've found a small snail in my tank. Must have come in with the new plants. Pros and Cons? I know they multiply. Is it best to leave and control them or to oust them all together? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 Pros, aerate and move the substrate, clean up excess fish food and algae. Cons, some people find them ugly and may eat more delicate plants. I personally like them so long as the tank's not infested. The cleaner you keep the tank, the less of them there will be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 Which snails? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koti2113 Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 I personally like them they are a good indicator in feeding, If you feed too much you will be infested but if not you will probably see only a few Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 con - they're snails, not fish. :nilly: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 con - they're snails, not fish. :nilly: Agreed! :slfg: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghaz Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 Pro - they provide entertainment when being hunted by dwarf puffers and loaches, and cheap food when ive run out of bloodworms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karina Posted September 12, 2012 Report Share Posted September 12, 2012 I have Malaysian trumpet snails but I only see them in the filter or occasionally on the gravel. I think if they come out of the stones my loaches harrass them :gigl: Sometimes see the loaches trying to dig for them. I personally think the trumpet snails are beneficial for your plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted September 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 I've spotted only one. Keeps disappearing. Not an apple, just plain brown. Will try to get a pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 if it is a brown mystery snail, kiss goodbye to your plants more likely it is a small ramshorn, which are normally harmless until they get out of control, but great food for puffers and loaches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted September 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 Can't find it!! There is a new hole in my java fern... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 Can't find it!! There is a new hole in my java fern... And it only gets worse... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted September 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 Ugh. Solution? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 If you find a solution that isn't "kill everything", loaches, or a puffer, let me know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted September 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 Found it. So is this a harmless addition to watch, or a plant killing demon spawn? Snail by danaj2009, on Flickr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted September 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 Although I am a fan of the clown loach... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 Commonly called a paper snail (around here anyways), less of a problem then many snails. will tend to nibble on your plants, breeds unusually quickly and is the favorite food of just about all snail eaters, consider getting yourself a mini dwarf puffer tank.... can be easy to control if you lower your pH to around 6.0 - 6.5 and keep your water soft, they can't build their shells and become prey for everything in your tank, still good excuse to get a gang of chain loaches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted September 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 No matter how much I google, you lot still have the most practical and clear answers/advice lol. Chain loach you say, sounds good. I do like clowns, do they offer the same solution? Not overly familiar with puffers. PH is giving me some grief. Tried 2 brands of PH down products and still it sits at 7.6 with regular water changes. Got the original water from the LFS and they kept it well over 8. I suspect I'm just being a tad impatient. :nilly: I'm still at 4 male Gourami and one bristle nose in a 215ltr. I've been toying with what to add next. Tank is only 3 weeks old so was opting to give the filter some time. I need some bottom feeders and something that schools. The loaches would take care of the bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godly3vil Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 I wouldn't bother using chemicals to bring the ph down, it's a waste of money and will do more harm than good. 7.6 will be fine for nearly every shop bought fish as long as you acclimatize them first. Driftwood and peat seem to be the easiest way to lower your ph if you really do have your heart set on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 don't bother messing with your pH too much as it will cause more trouble than good. Chain loaches are good and cool to watch, don't get big and are reasonably peaceful Clowns are awesome, colourful active and act like idiots most of the time, but don't forget that you need at least 3 (more like 5 or more) and that they grow to around 30cm + Zebra loaches are a good middle ground, as well as golden Zebra loaches, Pakistani(yo-yo) loaches etc... good range around there, and lotsa info on the web. do your research and don't be surprised if you cannot get the ones you like as the range in NZ is very small. one type I will warn you about is the skunk loach, Extremely cute, active grows small so should be suitable but have a major taste for the fins of just about every fish you have. still almost worth a tank on their own. as for puffers, check out dwarfpuffers.com, or search youtube for some cute videos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 Those are "Pond snails" Kill them, kill them all! They do nothing but breed, and poop then breed some more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 and munch your plants.... but soft shells make them easy prey for many fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 I have lots of those snails in my bugs trough and I harvest enough for the loaches to have one or two small ones each and then squash them into the tank. They usually don't get to the bottom as they are snapped up as they sink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted September 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 LFS had some chains. Off shopping tomorrow.... Like I said, love the clowns, but LFS has some fully grown and I don't think my tank would hold them long term lol. You guys rock!! :love: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sup42 Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 I've got the same snail and MTS as well. I kill the Pond Snails as they appear, I agree with what others have said, Snails are like Canary in coal mines , they tell you a lot about over feeding and water Quality. I don't get too worried about them , Auckland Water is fairly Soft , they don't really Thrive in my Tanks. I like them as part of the natural order of things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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