Snails?

[Grymatta]

So I was thinking about getting a snail to help keep my tank clean. But most of them seem to eat plant matter. Does that mean I shouldnt have snails if I have a planted tank?

also..do the snails reproduce and overrun the tank? Or is it just certain types of snails?

 

[phOOey]

apple or mystery snails are very good snails to have in a tank. because they prefer to eat dead and dying plant matter and so will not not touch you healthy plants. if you just get one then theres no chance of the snails multiplying.

 

[discus4everGrl]

I have a golf ball sized mystery snail in my planted tank and he doesn't bother much. However, he will eat a fish flake anyday over algea....

 

[Balloon Fish]

dang a golfball sized snail is huge i planned on getting snails several times already but none of my tanks are suited for it cause i have a few openings on my 40g tank and on my 20g the tank isn't even covered so that means the snails can escape, if you do get one just close all the openings cause i hear a lot of stories about how people's snails escape and they find them on the wall and stuff.

 

[LydiaGreen]

Do a little internet research first - find out what the snails LOOK like and avoid the pests. I got some free snails at Walmart with a fish purchase - pretty soon the tank was over-run and the filter tubes were clogged with them. My daughter was feeding her fish too much (more left over for the snails = more snails) but the type of snail breeds like crazy to start with - avoid TADPOLE snails, or POND snails (same thing).

 

[Grymatta]

thanks guys.

I'm assuming the Mystery Snails are the Black ones? I like those better than the Apples ones. So maybe I'll get just one.

 

[twoluvcats]

Mystery Snails and Apple snails are one and the same. You want to look for a pomeca bridgesii...they are your non-plant eaters. They also clutch above the waterline on the glass or in your hood, and do not asexually reproduce, so you won't end up with baby snails unless you want them. Check out applesnail.net for more info

 

[FroggyFox]

I've only ever had one snail get out of a tank and I usually have gaps on my tanks. I really think just like most fish and other critters, the only time they want to get out of the tank is if the water parameters aren't something that they like or maybe not getting enough food.

Apple snails are usually sold as "mystery snails" in the lfs. Black, Gold, Green...same snail usually They're a lot of fun, and I noticed around here that the green/blue types are becoming more popular. I picked up a green one a long time ago...then had my green and yellow one together for a couple weeks when I moved and then seperated them again and then the momma layed a clutch of eggs and I let them hatch out of pure curiosity. NEVER AGAIN. Even though it was kinda fun the first time around Gave baby apple snails to everyone and their brother.