Illegal immigrant Snails

[r0bb072]

So, i've now got 4 snails. Didn't ask for them, didn't knowingly buy them. I'm assuming they came with the plants i bought. I noticed the first one a few weeks back and they must keep shagging, as now they are 4 strong.

Can you advise how snails help the tank, the negatives to them (if any) and when they become too many. They also hog the tomatoes i feed the fish with, which must be quite disconcerting for the fish.

thanks

J

[Stephen]

I call all snails that are uninvited pest snails.
I always buy my plants from reputable sources such as Aquarium Gardens, Aqua Essentials or Pro Shrimp. The plants are top quality, chemical free and 99.9% snail free.
I personally just do not like or want snails in my aquarium.

Some members welcome snails but I'm not one of them.
This may be a useful link:- All about pest snails in the planted aquarium, despite the title the article is quite positive about snails.

If you have pest snails then you could buy some assassin snails to help get rid of the uninvited guests.
I would try to pick them out and dispose of them before 4 becomes 100's

[DoubleDutch]

Yeah if there are a few get one assassin (snail).

[plankton]

There's actually nothing wrong with most snails in the aquarium.
They can point to good or bad water conditions.
Most people find them a problem if they have "too many", but this is normally caused by overfeeding the fish.
I don't have a problem with them, and was quite upset when I lost all my ramshorns and bladders during "The Great Curtain Rail Crash" of 2010.

[BigBen]

So, i've now got 4 snails. Didn't ask for them, didn't knowingly buy them. I'm assuming they came with the plants i bought. I noticed the first one a few weeks back and they must keep shagging, as now they are 4 strong.

Can you advise how snails help the tank, the negatives to them (if any) and when they become too many. They also hog the tomatoes i feed the fish with, which must be quite disconcerting for the fish.

thanks

J

I deliberately add "pest" snails to my tanks. They clean up any waste, some algaes. They're also a good indication of you are over feeding as if you have a population explosion it can mean you are over feeding.

My view tends to be a little unique, most hate them!

[Jon_D]

I have just successfully completed a total war against the ramshorn empire. About 4 months ago after defeating an invasion by bladder snails I was suddenly attacked ( see Pearl Harbour) by a horde of ramshorn. And I mean a HORDE! Genghis Khan would have been proud of their tactics. My daily battles with them often resulted in me capturing 200 and more. On one occasion I spent over an hour just getting them off the front of the tank. There are still a few in my tank, but nowhere near the hundreds previously. I am very carefully watching my other tanks and so far they seem clear. But I would suggest at the first sign of your tank hosting any, .......attack! Or else you will soon be overwhelmed
.BTW!, as they came in on plants I got from LFS. the only plants I buy now , if at all, are Tropica.

[r0bb072]

So, i've now got 4 snails. Didn't ask for them, didn't knowingly buy them. I'm assuming they came with the plants i bought. I noticed the first one a few weeks back and they must keep shagging, as now they are 4 strong.

Can you advise how snails help the tank, the negatives to them (if any) and when they become too many. They also hog the tomatoes i feed the fish with, which must be quite disconcerting for the fish.

thanks

J

I deliberately add "pest" snails to my tanks. They clean up any waste, some algaes. They're also a good indication of you are over feeding as if you have a population explosion it can mean you are over feeding.

My view tends to be a little unique, most hate them!

Thanks muchly for your advice. On the overfeeding bit, i only feed, every 2-3 days so i'm not certain this is the cause. Yes, the tomatoes do go in weekly but are removed after two days, so there's not an awful lot for them to play on. The toms are really for the super red who grounds feeds only, that i can see. The plants came for Maidenhead aquatics who are pretty reputable so i may go back and ask them.

Other than that, i think i'll play god if they don't stop multiplying.

cheers

[mattindevon]

I miss my 'pest' snails. Had lots when the tank was new and more than one variety. All gone now sadly.

[r0bb072]

@mattindevon

do you get rid?

[Suse]

Esha Gastropex works well. Though if you only have a handful I'd try just picking them out first. I don't like them personally and like Stephen will only buy from the snail-free suppliers he listed now.