Pleco and Snail Compatibility

[Duck645]

Hey guys, I have a bristlenose pleco in my 36 gallon bow front and I was looking to get some some snails (for additional clean up crew and because they are fun).
I'm planning to get either mystery (apple?) snails or nerite snails, but I have heard rumors of plecos sucking snails out of their shells. Has anyone had experience with mixing plecos and snails? Would they be okay together?

 

[ddodad]

I've heard that before, but personally I have no issues. I have either a butterfly or bristlenose pleco (bought as bristle but looks more like butterfly to me. It has no bristles and the markings of a butterfly). Besides his other fish tank mates there is a nerite snail, assassin snails and mts and I've never had any issues

 

[Duck645]

Okay thanks, do you think it would be better to get mystery or nerite snails? Does either type have more benefits, or is it just personal preference?

 

[ddodad]

Okay thanks, do you think it would be better to get mystery or nerite snails? Does either type have more benefits, or is it just personal preference?

I think it is mainly a question of preference. One think I know is nerite snails cannot reproduce in freshwater.

 

[Dallascowboys16]

Nerite snails are way better algae eaters and can't reproduce in fw so they don't become a nuisance. They also come in many patterned varieties. Mystery snails get larger, reproduce, but also add a relatively lage bioload to your aquarium.

 

[Bubbles0oO]

I would like to add , as an owner of mystery(apple) and Nerite snails, that if you happen to get a female of
Either you will have eggs.
Given, the nerite eggs cant hatch in fresh water, but they WILL get everywhere,
And once your mystery (apple) snail lays eggs i can almost always promise you that they WILL hatch with the right conditions.
Mystery snails also like to climb up to air to breathe, and may accidentally escape :/

I also forgot to mention i have both in tanks with bushy nosed plecos and have never had any problems