snails!!

fishguy

i`ve just noticed there are little brown snails in my new tank.i guess they came on the plants i`ve been buying.they are very small.i`ve seen about 6 or 7 so far.i`ve heard that they can over take your tank.can they? and if so,what can i do to stop it? i still have no fish in the tank.would the fish eat them when i do get fish? thanks everyone.

bettababy

It sounds like ram's horn snails, and yes, they are known to reproduce in abundance. They are not harmful, and if you wish to get rid of them, try laying a piece of leaf lettuce in the tank. Once the snails are on the lettuce, remove it and throw it away (with snails) and add another. Be on the look out for small clear jelly like egg sacs... these can be on plants, on glass, on the silicone, on any rock or decorations, in your filter (especially intake tubes) and even i nthe gravel bed. If/when you see the egg sacs you can simply scrape them out and throw them away.

There are some fish that eat ram's horn snails... some loaches and things like puffer fish... but you'll want to be sure that if you purchase fish to eat the snails, that these fish will work into your tank community safely.
Many of the loaches that will eat the snails can get quite large, some can be a bit aggressive, and puffers need a species only tank.

In the future it's a good idea to rinse plants thoroughly away from the tank using some tank water (in a bucket works best) or under your tap provided the water temp is not extreme in either direction. Use your hands to brush away any snails and to rub off any egg sacs that might be found.

Does that help?

fishguy

thanks that helps alot.i wish i would of known to rinse the plants off prior to putting them in my tank.i`ll do the lettuce trick.thankyou.paul