why does everyone have snail problems?

[cJw]

Are there not any FW snails that DON'T reproduce like crazy and wind up in an 'infestation' situation?

I'd love to have a few, but I don't want to deal with dozens and doubt I have room in my 'lower section' for loaches for 'control'. . .

 

[TankGirl]

My ramshorn snail that I have had for several years now has never reproduced. Also nerite (olive) snails don't reproduce very quickly. They are not supposed to reproduce in a full FW aquarium but mine did, though in very manageable numbers.

 

[cJw]

Thanks, TG - I'll have to keep that in mind.

 

[zilla870]

nerite snails i heard they are good for algae problems.

 

[Jchillin]

TG- Would you like some of mine?

 

[TankGirl]

No no, that's okay, Jchillin, I'm sure I figure a way to manage... My original snail-scapades started when I was propagating them for my dwarf puffers. I could not get them to multiply fast enough. Now whatever I have are leftovers.

 

[kaaikop]

Interesting thread!
I have lots (i guess hundreds) of those small snails that most probably came along
with plants... I didn't mind when there were just a few but now it's getting kind of
disgusting... I kinda like the idea of loaches (the yoyo is kinda cute), BUT: I have
read somewhere that loaches also eat plants? is that so? (I have no experience
with loaches), and that they can be aggressive fish...?

Anyone which has a good link to some site where I can read all about them, would
be greatly appreciated! I don't want to buy some and then regret it.

 

[Blazeherd2306]

Live Aquaria usually has some good info on freshwater and marine fish. Here's the link to the loaches http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=885

 

[TankGirl]

Loaches don't eat plants, but many of them burrow into the substrate and thereby uproot or otherwise disturb plants.

 

[czcz]

http://loaches.com/

 

[TankGirl]

Thanks for posting that, czcz, I don't have any loaches but I love that site!

 

[czcz]

Me too, especially Martin Thoene's articles.

 

[Jchillin]

Are there not any FW snails that DON'T reproduce like crazy and wind up in an 'infestation' situation?

I'd love to have a few, but I don't want to deal with dozens and doubt I have room in my 'lower section' for loaches for 'control'. . .

cJw - Apple snails don't reproduce as quickly as most others. Unless you find one that is already fertilized, you can try a couple and have some fun! Here's some pics of Gary doing his thing:




If you look closely, Gary is "bubble surfing"...really cool to watch!

 

[kaaikop]

Thanks for the link, that was great!
Got convinced, got myself 6 yoyo loaches!
They are real cute!

 

[Guest]

yeah, my clown loaches uprooted some of my rotala indica so i just buried it a little deeper into the substrate

 

[Andos99]

I'm sure it's common knowledge, but I haven't seen it mentioned yet. Whenever I buy live plants, I had about a tablespoon of regular salt to the bag and swish it around to kill off all the snails and I have never had a problem.