Tropical aquarium problem! Mollies and Mystery Snail compete for food!?

Question

I have 2 mystery snails and 2 mollies in a 10 gallon tank that is only 2 weeks old (not fully cycled but headed there with conditioner liquid, bacteria liquid, and cycle liquid plus freshwater aquarium salt) My problem right now is that the Mollies are hogging the algae wafers that I put in for the mystery snails. Any advice on what to do about this?? I also have 2 guppies and 2 Danios in the tank and they eat along with the Mollies in the morinig (flake food) I was told to feed the snails in the evening when I turn off the light. Any advice is much appreciated!!

Answer 1

The answers you have already gotten are good. You can feed your snails "snail jello" too.

Get a stage 2 jar of babyfood, mine like corn, papaya, other fruit. They aren't crazy about peas or green beans. Heat the babyfood and 1/2 jar of water while stirring to almost boiling. Once its good and hot add in 2 packets of unflavored gellatin (NOT jello) very slowly, stir constantly. Pour it into a container and refrigerate. When its firm cut it into cubes and feed them, probably just 1 1/2 inch diameter cube per night for only 2 snails. If your water clouds you are feeding too much.
I actually pour mine into mini cupcake pans to set, but I also have LOTS of snails.

Also, try feeding your mollies their food just before adding in the snails food to distract them. The snails will find food though, don't worry.

As for cycling your tank the best way I have found is to get some used filter media from an established tank. Most fish stores will give you some free if you ask, make sure it goes into a bag with tank water just like a fish. Take it home, pop it in your tank, just make sure it came from a healthy tank. I tried everything on one tank and finally it cycled shorty after I added some filter media from an established tank.

Answer 2

You have correct advice. If you put the algae wafers in the tank just before you turn off the light, the snails will eat them (the fish won't be as active with the lights off).

You can feed the fish in the morning and afternoon (just be careful not to overfeed), or let them finish the "snail leftovers" from the algae wafers.

Answer 3

You can follow that advice and put the wafers in at night, definitely. Your mollies should be too sleepy to eat the pellets.
However, do know that your mystery snails will find food even if the mollies eat their wafers. I don't feed my snails specifically and they are all big and strong.

Answer 4

try also putting in things like a slice of zucchini or cucumber, the mollies can't eat all that, so the snail will definitely get some. plus fresh vegetables are important to the health of the shell.