Are these things snails?
 

Hi;
My 25 gal tank is about 3 weeks old and has been stocked with 4 Zebra danios since the beginning. I've been very careful with testing and whatever goes into the tank including the gravel, rocks and plants, but during the last week I notced 4 small snail (gastropods?) or whatever slowly climbing the walls or on my rocks. They are brownish about 3 mm diameter creatures with shells. Does this sound familiar? No idea what the danio fry are supposed to look like so (dumb question) could they possibly be "unhatched" babies?
thanks in advance,
donc

Hi donc,

Sounds like common ramshorn snails to me.

It would be helpful if you were able to post a picture of them though.

The problem with ramshorn snails, is that while they won't do any real damage, they multiply like mad. I had an infestation of them for a while, and every time I saw one I plucked it out of the tank.

Another good way to get rid of them is to leave a piece of lettuce in the tank overnight, and in the morning it should have a number of snails on it which can then be easily removed.

What sort of substrate do you have in the tank?

Another way to get rid of them is buying Clown Loaches, as they eat the snails. It's very, very effective. :)

yes but his tandk is still new

Yes that's true. For future reference, then. :mrgreen:

Hi folks! So grateful for all the replies. I will try to get a photo posted then try the lettuce trick. These things dont have spiral shell- more like a conch shape like some pastas you can buy
...don

Are these snails danger in anyway?

I found one last night (might have come along with the plants). It's not ramshorn, but more like the Viviparidae from the link Blue gave.

i also have Viviparidae and some pond snails they have done nothing to my tank or plants so you should be fine :wink: