Snails in my tank...what do I do?

[WhitneyGail]

Hi,

I have a thirty gallon planted tank that currently houses 6 Harlequin Rasboras, 3 Diamond Tetras, 2 German Blue Rams, 1 Albino Bristlenose Pleco, 1 Bamboo Shrimp, and a bunch of Cherry Shrimp.

Last night, I discovered two very little snails on one of my plants. I've never noticed snails in my tank before (but I also had a yoyo loach up until two months ago when he outgrew the tank.)

I'd like to nip this potential snail problem in the bud and get a new loach/loaches- but this time I'd like to choose a species that will not outgrow my tank.

What do you all suggest?

I've heard mixed opinions about the aggression levels of botia striata (also, will they be ok in a group of three or less?).

What about Khuli loaches or Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki? Will either of them eat snails?

Thanks everyone- you're always so helpful.

-Whitney

[palaeodave]

I really don't know why people consider snails to be a "problem". I like the snails in my tanks. Any botiine loach will keep the population in check. Kuhli loaches won't eat snails in my experience. I'd imagine the sids would, but I've never had any. Botia striata is the way forward. I've got 4 and they're great. Playful, active and don't get too big. A group of three is generally considered the minimum.

[newshound]

it doesn't sound like you really want loaches anyway...
if you do get a group of at least 4 loaches.
I will not comment on your mix of fish and how they relate to loaches.
I think eventually your shrimp will be lunch with loaches.
Mine always are.
A small tank needs a small loach group like sids or Botia striata.

[WhitneyGail]

I don't think that two or three snails is a problem...but I've read that they can multiply and become one.

I've always liked sids....and I have plenty of room to get 5 or 6 of them and still not have an overstocked tank....if they can control a population of juvenile snails (and I'll just manually remove any that manage to get big)...I think that's the way I'd like to go.

Does anyone know of a good place to obtain them? I live in New York. My local aquarium store doesn't have them in stock, though he said he can get them if I'd like......should I just order online (and if so....what's a good site)....or does someone know of a good local breeder or store that I can go to?

[WhitneyGail]

[quote="newshound"]it doesn't sound like you really want loaches anyway...

Why do you say that? I actually really like loaches....in fact, I'm planning out a 200 gallon tank now, that I want to build around Clown or Yo Yo loaches....I'm just concerned that I can't fit 5 or even three 5 inch loaches in my current little tank.


"I will not comment on your mix of fish and how they relate to loaches."

Why do you say that? Is there a problem that you know of with my mix of fish? Or are you not commenting because you just don't know? quote]

I'm a beginner at this hobby, but I really am doing the best I can to research before introducing new fish to my tank. So, if I'm making a mistake, let me know, it's why I'm writing in.

[KhuliKhilla]

if you saw a couple of small snails - reach in and squish them.

[loachmom]

Does anyone know of a good place to obtain them? I live in New York. My local aquarium store doesn't have them in stock, though he said he can get them if I'd like......should I just order online (and if so....what's a good site)....or does someone know of a good local breeder or store that I can go to?

I've heard others on this forum speak highly of Frank's Aquarium.

www.franksaquarium.com

[helen nightingale]

Hi WhitneyGail

im not quite sure what newshound meant by not commenting on your fish mix. i know your rasboras will mix very well with loaches. they have similar water requirements, and they can swin quite quickly when they want to so generally keep out of harms way if a loach gets inquisitive. its also good you have 6 as they must be in a shoal. im not 100% sure, but i think the rams may prefer less current than the loaches (and other fish that go well with loaches such as danios, barbs and rasboras, generally speaking), which is definately something to consider if you do set up a big tank for clowns/yoyos. your other fish, im really not too sure about on details, but someone else will know. i have certainly read about MUCH worse combinations.

my striata are really not agressive, but they are chunky fish and will look after their territory and food. they seem to say "Oi! You! No!" to the other fish, rather than being agressive, and the other fish go away. or they all get on just fine. mine have never really bothered eating snails that much though. i just have 1 yoyo that has a taste for them. they seem to be like people with tastes for food.

if you get loaches that just happen to not like snails, try putting a carnivorous pellet in the tank at night, and the snails will go for that and you can scoop them out. you really dont need loaches as a snail controll programme - i dont think its a very scientifically proven method.

[newshound]

I guesss I have to comment on the mix of fish now that everyone has noticed
I don't like at tank with a huge mix of (non loach) fish but whatever turns your crank.
I was thinking of the blue ram
The Marvelous Blue Ram cichlid.
see link (not sure if the B.R. is a lake malawi cichlid or not). That is why I didn't comment.
http://www.loaches.com/articles/why-loa ... i-cichlids

[newshound]

if you get loaches that just happen to not like snails, try putting a carnivorous pellet in the tank at night, and the snails will go for that and you can scoop them out. you really dont need loaches as a snail controll programme - i dont think its a very scientifically proven method.

I think helen is feeding her loaches too much
I can't have a snail in any of my tanks for longer than half a day.
If the loaches haven't figured out that snail equals food crush the shell of a snail and drop it back in the tank. See what happens
I agree if the only reason a person wants loaches in a tank is because of a snail problem they shouldn't have them.