For some, they are a plague, for others a welcome contribution to the aquarium. Snails are always a hot topic in aquarium hobby. Here we explain the advantages and disadvantages of keeping snails in aquariums.
ADVANTAGES OF HAVING SNAILS IN THE AQUARIUM
If an aquarium is considered as a balanced ecological system, the snails (and also other invertebrates such as prawns) cover a very useful function, almost irreplaceable. They do not exclusively eat biofilms and growing algae, so they are important algivoresBut they also eat all the "dirt" that accumulates in the aquarium. More specifically, mud, fish droppings, parts of dead plants, dead fish, and food debris. All these things contain organic substances that, if not used, increase the load of polluting substances in the water and also the amount of bacteria. Snails eat organic garbage. The calls degrading matter organic, process food scraps and take them one step down the food chain. Finally, bacteria and other microorganisms, decomposers, break the remains down into their mineral components.
Therefore, an aquarium containing snails it is an ecologically much more stable system and the overall impression is usually much cleaner. The typical species that are most common in aquariums are Physa snails, Planorbis snails, and Malaysian trumpet snails. Often unintentionally introduced, when buying new aquatic plants.
DISADVANTAGES OF A PEST OF SNAILS
However, many aquarium enthusiasts perceive snails as optically unpleasant, especially when it comes to a massive increase in their population: A plague of snails. Keep in mind that the explosive growth it always has to do with the conditions of the aquarium. If the snails find a lot of food, this will be reflected in their population density. Very often they appear snail pests during the cycling phase from an aquarium. During commissioning, this is due to growth spikes in various species of algae, which are excellent food for snails, again a notable factor in the spread of snails. As a rule, this is resolved later: Through a reduced food supply and competitors for food, the population returns to normal.
In aquariums with a dense fish population and, consequently, intensive feeding, lThe snail population can be high due to the large intake of food on their part. If invertebrates get out of control, if this is the case, you should reconsider your feeding routine.
Depending on the type of snail that appears in the aquarium, it may happen that some plants may nibble. To some extent, you can prevent these snails eat your aquatic plants feeding them with vegetables (peeled, blanched or dry) or special foods with a high content of vegetables. But in this way you can never completely rule out snails eating particularly delicate and tasty plants for them. Again, this behavior is only done by a few species, the vast majority of snails that appear in the aquarium by accident plants are not eaten.
AVOID INTRODUCING SNAILS IN THE AQUARIUM
Like the aquarium snails They are usually introduced as stowaways in aquatic plants, this problem can be solved by cleaning with water and carefully examining their parts to make sure that they are snail free, parasites, strange plants, algae and pathogens.
Some aquarists treat freshly purchased aquarium plants with a short bath in mineral water or an alum solution. The attached snails are stunned or killed. It is important to observe the relevant safety regulations when handling chemical products. Also, the treated plants must be rinsed well before finally placing them in the aquarium. Snail eggs are not affected by these small baths, so it is recommended to grant a two-week quarantine period after such treatment and then treat them again, killing the newborn snails on the second pass.
WHY DO SNAILS COME OUT IN THE AQUARIUM?
In the event of a large unwanted increase in snail population in the aquarium, the hobbyist must first critically analyze your eating routine. Snail pests don't come out of nowhere, snail pests are caused by excess food. In addition to measures such as feeding with less or higher quality and removing remains of dead plants, there are many options to reduce the number of snails in the aquarium. However, keep in mind that snail infestations always have a cause. If this cause (too much food) is not reduced, snails will reappear or other problems will come, such as excessive growth of algae in your aquarium.
Snails can be collected individually simply by hand. It is somewhat more effective if you put a bait (like a good piece of food) in a certain place in the aquarium. After a few hours, the bait will attract more snails together that can be easily collected without having to search everywhere in the aquarium. A snail trap It works in principle in a similar way, also equipped with bait. After a few hours, the trap and the captured snails are removed from the aquarium at once.
As well, add predators to the aquarium it is an option. However, this point must be considered well, since these animals also have certain needs for their maintenance that must be met. The puffer fish is often recommended because it feeds on snails. However, you must remember that these animals need specific feeding. They can grow quite large and, of course, puffer fish should be kept feeding on snails after containing infestation by them. If this is not done, the puffer fish can become quite aggressive towards other aquarium occupants and attack prawns, attacking the eyes of smaller fish or starving due to lack of tooth wear. Another predator: the Clea helenait feeds on other species of snails and their young, but also on carrion, worms or other foods that contain protein are part of their diet. It should be remembered that often one simply replaces one pest with another: as it is now with snails, Clea helena is It reproduces exceptionally well when a large amount of food is available. Actually it would be better and more sustainable find focus of the cause and eliminate it instead of using snail eaters.
USEFUL SNAILS FOR A PLANTED AQUARIUM
If you want to avoid a uncontrolled increase in the number of snailsBut still keeping useful snails in the aquarium, there are quite a few suitable species that cannot reproduce in a freshwater aquarium. Among these are found in the genus Clithon, Neritina and Vittina.
To successfully reproduce, these species need brackish water. Occasionally you can see their white eggs stuck to the crystals or the decoration. Although the larvae hatch from these, they do not develop into snails due to the water conditions in a normal aquarium. Clithon and Neritina they are excellent algae eaters. Brown algae, green dot algae, and other layers of green algae on stones, wood, and aquarium crystals are eaten by these animals very effectively. So it is highly recommended to have some of these snails. as cleaning equipment in your aquarium. For the number of snails per aquarium, we recommend the general rule of one snail for every 10 liters of water volume.
Other articles of interest may be:
How to Eliminate Aquarium Algae - Causes and Most Effective Treatments
Caridines and Neocaridines - File and Care Aquarium Prawns
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