okay, so somehow these strange molluscs got into my tank. They are tiny (not even 1/2 centimeter tall), freshwater molluscs, they have cone-shaped shells that look sort of soft, 2 antennae, they can move around (up and down walls too) at a speed of maybe 1 centimeter every 10-15 seconds. Can anyone tell me what these things are because they're multiplying like mad and I don't even know how they got there?!?
thanks!
2007-06-28 18:21:32 · 8 answers · asked by Austin E 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
From your description, these sound like Malaysian trumpet snails. See this link to a photo and article about these: http://www.yamatogreen.com/MalaysianTrumpetSnails.htm )
I have them in almost all my tanks, and like them - they spend most of the day in the gravel, so you don't notice them unless they overpopulate, which is what it sounds like is happening in your situation.
They usually come in with plants, sometimes with fish if the pet store employee stirs up some gravel while trying to catch your fish. They're hermaphrodites, so only need one to reproduce, and they bear live young (so don't look for eggs).
If they're overpopulating, it's usually because they have an abundant food supply - this may mean you need to clean the gravel a little more frequently, or that you're oferfeeeding your fish. Without the extra food, they reproduction will slow down. You can remove the snails by using bait - put a lettuce leaf in the tank and weight it down with gravel - the snails will crawl onto it overnight to eat, then you can remove the leaf and all attached snails in the moring - repeat this as often as necessary. There are chemicals you can use to kill the snails, but if you have that many and they all die and aren't removed, it can foul your water.
BTW, even though these might look soft, they have one of the hardest shells of the aquarium snails - loaches (a snail-eating fish) have a harder time eating them.
2007-06-28 18:33:32 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I used to have those in my tank...that was 7 years ago tho, I can't remember how to get rid of them...Did you consult anyone at the fish store where you got your tank? They might be your best bet. Otherwise I'll get back to you on that if I can find out again.
2007-06-28 18:32:32 · answer #2 · answered by eekgrrarrgh 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whats with all these point gamers??
Probably just some common tank snails and yes they reproduce like mad. To get rid of them just catch them and crush their shells (dont torture them; kill them instantly) and put it in your tank. Your fish should come to eat the snails.
2007-06-28 18:34:51 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats east. they hitched a ride. See if you bought any plants at a pet store one or two of the, stayed on the palnt and ended up in your fish tank.
2007-06-28 18:30:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
o_o... Do you see them crawling everywhere besides your fish tank...?... And Don't worry about it unless they actually fly onto your fish and suckk through their scales and eat the organs of yourr fish through that spot..Maybe their cleaning? Who knows.. o_o
And people who say things like "Free points cool O.,o" are freaks.
2007-06-28 18:31:28 · answer #5 · answered by Spencer 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They always show up in tanks. They showed up in mine too, don't worry about them, they won't harm your fish and they die quickly. They won't get big.
2007-06-28 18:29:44 · answer #6 · answered by Laura 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
got escargot? far out!
maybe buy some ninja fish and mount a counter-attack!! sounds like your aquarium is exciting!!!
2007-06-28 19:20:29 · answer #7 · answered by burn out 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I really dont know, but this sounds freakin disgusting.
2007-06-28 18:27:53 · answer #8 · answered by Julio CésarA 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋