OK we have had this tank for about 3 months Id estimate and ALl we have put in thre is Rocks we bought at walmart fish and a few boat things we got at wlamart t odecorate and then 2 little plants we bought at an actual fish store, But lately we have been seeing snails in the tank at first there was only 1 now we have sen about 6 I know they mate and reproduce every few weeks but how could we have snails and where did they come from? I havent put any in there and everything we bought was either in bags or from actual fish stores themselves? SO how did they get in there? COuld their eggs have been hidden in the plant or something and just now hatching and now they are just reproducing or something?? SHould I keep taking them out or let them stay in there??
2006-10-24 19:01:36 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
You got your snails from unwashed gravel and/or real plants. They lay their eggs in a jelly-like form usually attached to rocks or stones or plants. They're hermaphrodite (both male and female) so they reproduce on their own really fast! They continue to live, eating left-over food, algae, and even fish wastes.
Should you take them out? It depends. They can be beneficial to your tank because they help control water and glass pollution by eating algae and left-over food. However, they tend to overpopulate and might take too much aquarium space. If that ever happens, they'd compete with your fish for oxygen in your water, as well as food. Snail population control must therefore be put in place.
How do you control their population? You do it by doing either of the following:
1. Get a lettuce, let it float. The snails will attach to your lettuce. Throw the lettuce away with the attached snails. Do this every once in a while.
2. Get a snail-eating fish such as a Flowerhorn, Clown Loach, Bronze Corydoras, Chinese Algae Eater or a Bristlenose Suckermouth Catfish. These are all bottom feeders who grow from 6-30 cm adult size. So you better have enough tank space.
3. Apply an effective snail control treatment to your aquarium water. Available brands include Copper Safe, Tetra Snail Control and Sera Snail Control. Buy it only from a reliable pet store or aquarium dealer.
4. Remove your fish, if it's a freshwater fish. Put some salt in your tank. This should kill your snails. Then remove all the water and gravel. Rewash the gravel, put it back in your tank, refill it with water, and return your fish.
Good luck!
2006-10-24 20:27:40 · answer #1 · answered by aquamike 3 · 10⤊ 0⤋
Snails In Fish Tank
2016-10-02 11:08:07 · answer #2 · answered by elmblad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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RE:
Why is there snails in my fish tank??
OK we have had this tank for about 3 months Id estimate and ALl we have put in thre is Rocks we bought at walmart fish and a few boat things we got at wlamart t odecorate and then 2 little plants we bought at an actual fish store, But lately we have been seeing snails in the tank at first there was...
2015-08-07 08:12:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They came with the plant you got or they come in some fish foods as well (algae wafers).
When you clean your tank, just throw out as many as you can. You won't get rid of them completely but you're keeping their population under control.
There are chemical you can put in your tank to get rid of them but I'm against putting in chemicals. And there are some fish that eat snail like the Loaches. They'll take care of the snails but you'd still have to feed them like the other fishes.
2006-10-24 19:11:24 · answer #4 · answered by professorminh 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Snails lay eggs and usually it's on plants and other ornaments in your fish tank. I'm almost sure it came from the plants you bought.
The only way to get rid of them is to clean your tank, take out all the plants(put it in salt water(it won't harm them)) and pour boiling water over the rocks. But not in the tank, your tank will crack.
Inspect you tank and plants for small jellyish eggs, you'll know when you see it.
Just remove it and that's the end of snails.
2006-10-24 19:15:33 · answer #5 · answered by debz 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Although my specialty is marine fish, I can offer you what my thoughts are. Your snails could have hitched from the plants, esp if they are live. Also, snails can transfer from one tank to the other.
Safety? I hope a FW specialist jumps in :) . I believe it is the type of snails. Algae eaters are good, so can the ones that eat the plants if your fish do not.
2006-10-25 03:31:39 · answer #6 · answered by MyDobie 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that has happened to us, we have 4 fish tanks. i take it that the plants are real and not plastic. if this is true than that is where they came from. whenever we buy plant we get snails. if they are small and brown colour get rid of them as they will eat all your plants, but on the other hand they are great scavengers. they will clean your tank. if they are the bigger golden colour snails keep them as will breed (all snils will breed. it is up 2 u what u do with them) we usally take them down to the local fish shop. they will sell them. we usally exchange them for food of more fish.... i hope this advise works for you. congatulations on your new family of fish...
2006-10-24 19:13:44 · answer #7 · answered by Bashazza 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i've had this problem before, baby snails will attach themselves to the live plants you bought. i've seen them before and they can be as small as a spec of dirt. i seriously had to have a magnifing glass to get a decent look at them. they just grew up. some people don't like have snails in their tank, because they can never get rid of them. but i personally don't mind having the little guys. if your tank gets over populated, remember to tank them out.
2006-10-28 15:26:14 · answer #8 · answered by War Mage Orange 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They probably came with the fish you bought. Don't worry about them though they actually help to keep your tank clean. They eat all that slimey stuff.
2006-10-24 19:15:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
you most likely had snail eggs on the plants that you bought
2006-10-24 22:29:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋