Are these eggs?

Question

I was doing a weekly partial water change and clean to my 20 gallon tank. I had removed a couple of the plants in the tank and on the underside of one of the silk plants there was what looked like a drip of water. It was clear but was just a little firm bubble. I have 2 mollies, 5 danios, 5 red eyed tettras, and 4 - 5 snails. My suspition is it was snail eggs, but there was no coloration to it. I am not sure what type of snail I have either, I got them from the pet store, they were just in one of the tanks with live plants, the lady said they didn't sell snails so gave them to me for free. They are a brownish color, roundish shell with just a little point at the end. If anyone can tell me what this bubble was I saw and give me an idea what type of snails I may have It would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

You were probably given the snails for free because they are common pond snails. Many breeders use breeding ponds in warm climates, like Florida(where a lot of our non-wild caught fish come from). They can be a big nuisance. They breed rapidly, and can even clog your filter intake.

Those clear jelly blobs are definitely snail eggs. They can be hard to get rid of. You usually need to tear a tank down and thoroughly clean all equipment and decorations with a gentle soap, like Dawn dish liquid. Just remember to rinse the crap out of everything!Soap is very dangerous to fish.

If you like the snails being in your tank, but don't want them reproducing out of control, then you might try a small species of bottom feeder called Loaches. Try 1 or 2 Kuhli loaches(they look like orangish brown and black striped worms with tiny whiskers) or maybe a type of Zebra loach. These fish LOVE snails as a treat though, so they stand a chance of eliminating the snails altogether. It's a gamble, but loaches are amusing fish to watch, so you may end up happy anyways!

Happy fish keeping and good luck!

Just remember to keep the snails out of your filter intake!A clogged filter could cause the death of your fish and maybe even burn your filter motor up.

Answer 2

snails breed like mad. Even if you start out with one, you will have hundreds within a couple of years. that is why they are free. have fun with the new additions to your tank!

Answer 3

if they're bigger they could be mystery snails
http://home.mchsi.com/~masts/index.html

if they're the small ones, then they're trumpet snails
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Melanoides_tuberculata.php

or just regular aquatic snails which breed like crazy


but your eggs could be also from your tetras



Hope that helps
good luck


EB

Answer 4

yes

Answer 5

I believe so.