Freshwater Snail Question

[snakeblitz33]

+1 on the clown loaches. You could even try a khuli loach. Clown loaches eat snails... natural prediators.
Buy one or two and watch the snails disappear in half a week.
Then return the loaches to the store.
Money well spent.

 

[keebler]

Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///forum/post/2852821
+1 on the clown loaches. You could even try a khuli loach. Clown loaches eat snails... natural prediators.
Buy one or two and watch the snails disappear in half a week.
Then return the loaches to the store.
Money well spent.


Sheds has one tank in particular with a problem like this and they don't even worry about it. The snails are good, just unsightly. I like the loach method, but I'd keep the loaches they are mad cool!

 

[mie]

Khuli loaches dont get very big, I would go with the clown loach myself.

 

[rotarymagic]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2852168
They grow to about 4-5 inches max. Not enormous. They are great snail eaters though.
5inches max?? ha... seen some approaching a foot, but many years old..
but for awhile it would serve its purpose in that 18gallon.

 

[snakeblitz33]

most clown loaches will take care of snails, but very few won't.

 

[oahogset]

May I suggest Yoyo loaches? They will not outgrow your tank and they are excellent snail-exterminators. I haven't had any snail overpopulation in my tank since I got mine. And besides, they are usually only 3-4 dollars in my local fishstore, while clown loaches are easily 4 times as much.

 

[ca161406]

git a pair of dwarf indian puffers you wont have to feed them for months!!!!

 

[girlina4x4]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! I went with the clown loach since thats all the store had. He fit in great and got to work right away. I have a few options once he gets bigger:
1. give him to my friend who has a much bigger setup when the loach gets larger
2. I have a 90 gallon in storage, I was hoping to make it SW when I move in June, but it could become FW and I'll just get a 125 SW
3. I keep the 90 SW and just get a bigger FW tank
4. Sell my Sailfin Tang and just make the 90 FW, and stick with what I have for the SW
Haha, so many choices!

 

[sepulatian]

Doll, the Clown may have the potential to get that big, but it won't. Let him clean up your snails and become a nice pet for your current tank. You make the choice if he decides to become obnoxiously big.

 

[keri]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2855336
Doll, the Clown may have the potential to get that big, but it won't. Let him clean up your snails and become a nice pet for your current tank. You make the choice if he decides to become obnoxiously big.
Are you suggesting that restricting tank size is a good (and ethical) way of restricting animal size? Tisk tisk.... Do I have to call the tang police?

Welll...whatever she decides, she will have time to think about it as they are not super-fast growers.