Simplest way to handle pest snails in an aquarium

Snails are proliferating!

I call them "too many snails," but there is no mention of it in any official documentation, so don't tire yourself searching. 🙂 Why do snails reproduce so quickly? It's not their fault. In the past, snails primarily ate algae and organic debris. Most freshwater snails in ornamental aquariums do not eat plants. They thrive and reproduce in an environment rich with algae, leftover fish food, decomposing leaves, and other materials. If you see the snail population increasing rapidly, it could be a sign of an unbalanced aquarium, possibly due to overfeeding or a lack of established biological balance, rather than a problem with the snails themselves.

How to solve the problem of too many snails?

To address the issue of too many snails, start by tackling the underlying cause of the problem:

1. Light Management:

• Be cautious with excessive light in the aquarium, as it encourages algae growth. Controlling light can help limit algae proliferation.

1. Avoid Overfeeding Fish:

• Do not overfeed your fish. Keep the amount of fish food within limits to avoid leftovers.

1. Regular Tank Cleaning:

• Regularly clean the tank and remove dead leaves.

1. Create Competition in the Food Sector:

• You can introduce algae-eating fish species.

• Bottom-dwelling fish like Corydoras can eat leftover food in the substrate.

• Shrimp can also be a good choice; they compete with snails for food and, due to their agility, shrimp (and fish) often reach food faster. 😉

1. Reduce Snail Numbers Manually:

• Simply place a piece of cucumber or a green vegetable leaf in the tank in the evening. When you wake up, many snails will gather there, making it easy to remove them.

1. Use Snail Predators:

• There are natural animals that eat snails, such as assassin snails (Anentome Helena) which use toxins to paralyze snails before consuming them. There are also snail-eating fish like Loaches and Puffers.

1. Snail Removal Tools:

• If you don't like direct contact with snails, tools can be used to pick snails off the tank walls without direct contact. Various sizes and models of snail removal tools are available.

1. Use Chemical Methods:

• Removing snails with chemicals can be the last and most powerful method; however, this is a last resort as there are many other means to consider before applying this method.

What benefits do snails bring us?

Snails are an excellent way to maintain cleanliness in ornamental aquariums by eating algae. Although some primarily consume organic debris and may not eat much algae, others prefer specific algae types like hair algae and avoid pellets. Each snail can contribute uniquely to the ecosystem.

Which type of snail to choose?

Except for "too many snails" like Bladder snails (Physella Acuta) or Ramshorn snails (Planorbarius corneus), pet stores usually offer a variety of different snails. Below are some popular choices:

Neritina species:

They are excellent at eating algae and are moderately sized. Interestingly, they cannot reproduce in freshwater, and their eggs do not develop in freshwater.

Horned Nerite Snail – Clithon Corona:

This is an impressive snail species with a shell featuring sharp spines. They prefer eating green and brown algae and do not harm aquatic plants. Their eggs will not hatch in freshwater, preventing unwanted proliferation.

The above tips can help you effectively manage the problem of too many snails and maintain balance in your ornamental aquarium.

Sulawesi Snail – Tylomelania sp.

Different from the previously discussed snail species, this one is not a major algae eater. People love them mainly for their attractive appearance and interesting movements. Although this type of snail is capable of reproduction, its population growth potential is not high.

Trumpet Snail – Melanoides tuberculata

Aquarium enthusiasts like this species because they eat leftover fish food, dead leaves, and simultaneously aerate the aquarium substrate. They do not harm aquatic plants and do not bother fish. If there is too much food, their population can increase sharply. Aquascapers may not appreciate them due to their potential to disturb clay-based substrates. However, they are still useful for aquariums with sand and gravel substrates.

Apple Snail – Pomacea bridgesii

This snail species was once a very popular product in pet stores a few years ago. However, in 2012, the European Union declared it an invasive species and banned its sale. Originating from South America, this snail first appeared in Italy and Spain, displacing local species. It's important to remember that aquarium hobbyists play a crucial role in preventing such events from happening. There is no reason to believe that introducing Pomacea into rivers in Spain or Italy is a result of the ornamental aquarium hobby.

Assassin Snail – Anentome helena

Finally on our list is the slippery Helena snail, also known as the assassin snail. They typically hunt in bursts. After they have caught their prey, they find a crevice and then use their mouthparts to paralyze the body and consume the fluids. Each week, an assassin snail hunts about 2-3 snails. They also like dry food. They will not hunt all healthy snails, but they do this to avoid larger ones or those with strong shells.

I hope this article has helped you better understand the complex world of snails in ornamental aquariums. Instead of fearing a snail invasion, I hope you see them as beneficial for your ornamental aquarium. If they are multiplying rapidly, it might be a sign of an issue in your aquarium.