Snails

[underground]

I couldn't think of anywhere else to post this one.

I wonder about Malaysian Mud Snails. Stuff I've read seems to recommend them in a planted tank for turning the substrate, although I also read they can multiply a bit rapid. Also I have Sera Floredepot in my substrate so I'm not sure if they would mess that up.

I like my Nerita and wonder if some of these critters would be worth having or not- any thoughts?

Also, has anyone heard of bat snails? My friendly shop keeper gave me a couple the other day, they look more like edible shellfish (flat and open) than the usual snail shape. Anyway, they had been eaten by the following morning

 

[magicmagni]

Re: Snails

I've had all kinds of snails in my planted tanks for several years and have never had a problem. Rams horn, Trumpet and others I don't know. Everyone says that they'll eat the plants, but I've yet to have a problem. I think that they are somewhat beneficial actually as they seem to want to only eat parts of the plants in poor health or dead leaves that may collect. They also process uneaten fish food that may otherwise sit and rot-especially the trumpets. They are somewhat to a planted tank as an earthworm is to a garden. They also are a good indicator of the substrate health often indicating if the substrate goes anaerobic. Population is somewhat controlled by limiting their food. More heavily the fish are fed the more of a snail population in general it seems to me. If you need to do population control stick a piece of sliced blanched cucumber in there and they will be attracted to it. Then pull it out with all of them on it.