Fish tank problem...snail related

[Barfo]

Waiting for pics.

 

[bignateyk]

They won't overrun the tank. Their population will fluctuate in harmony with excess waste and food in the tank, so it works out really well. I have a 55 gallon tank filled with live plants, snails, and fish, and the population of the snails fluctuates from 20-30 to upward of 100-200. I never change my water, and I never vacuum my tank. All I do is change the filters and add new water when the water level drops from evaporation. The snails help keep the ecosystem in balance.

 

[DrVos]

The only way to eradicate an infestation of this magnitude is to find the Master Snail and cut off its head.

 

[Ticks]

added pics in original post. Thanks bignateyk, it sounds like we have similar cleaning habits...i'll probably just cut back on the food. I think i overfeed pretty bad anyways.

 

[Baked]

Bleach. Bleach always works.

 

[Insomniator]

haha snails

 

[blodhi74]

Take a small empty jar. Make sure its clean. Take a small piece of zucchini and nuke for 5 secs.
Place the jar with zucchini in it before you turn the lights out.
In the morning remove the jar plus a shit loads of snails.
Repeat the process to get the population in check. It is nearly impossible to get rid of all the snails.
Also do not over feed the fish. As a matter of fact, fish can go without eating for a good week. (I would skip a day or so)

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: Ticks
*2nd Update*
Pics

Snail Attack
Snail Attack 2

They are actually keeping the tank super clean...i read that if they get crazy you can put a piece of cucumber in and they will flock to it. That way I can gradually reduce the numbers if it becomes too much.

Oh, those are your standard aquarium variety... you actually found these in a pond? Maybe those came from yet another aquarium when someone dumped fish they didn't want any more...

Keep them. They do keep the tank clean. Don't overfeed your fish.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
Don't overfeed your fish.

Bolded for importance. I'm mainly a reef/saltwater guy, but there is a reason the snails are so prolific.

I wouldn't do anything about them and let them clean poop/nutrients. Then I would stop putting so much food into the tank.

 

[Wag]

Mmmm. Have you ever thought of opening up your own French restaurant?

 

[Kalmah]

Maybe the fish don't have email so they are using snailmail... get it? :Q

/pre-emptive face-palm

 

[Newbian]

Originally posted by: Kalmah
Maybe the fish don't have email so they are using snailmail... get it? :Q

/pre-emptive face-palm

I laughed.

 

[Oceandevi]

Get one of the small brackish puffers. It should live long enough to go T-rex on their asses..

 

[blodhi74]

Id the tank is 55gl or more ... get a couple of skunk loaches.

 

[ghost recon88]

Transport all the fish you want out of that tank, then nuke it from space

 

[lxskllr]

Get rid of the fish, and have a snail tank instead ;^)

 

[Capt Caveman]

Wow, that's a major snail infestation. There are several snail eliminating solutions that can be added to the tank water that are safe to the fish.

Here's one:
Had-A-Snail

 

[zinfamous]

LoL

centaur.

 

[CallMeJoe]

Originally posted by: randay
clown loach

Not in a 30 gallon tank. A clown loach can easily reach more than six inches in length, and is only happy with company - meaning more than one. Yoyo loaches would be OK in that size tank, but I don't know if they have the same affection for escargot.


edit: the zucchini (or lettuce) bait and remove trick will do to thin them out. Controlling your overfeeding will keep them from overrunning your tank again.