Snails in the aquarium good or bad?

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Almost every aquarist has experienced at least one snail invasion in his life. At first one tiny mollusk appears, which does not cause any concern – but after a few days there are a whole lot of them. Then we wonder how to quickly and effectively deal with this unexpected problem. How to get rid of snails from the aquarium? Are all mollusks pests?

Snails in the aquarium – where do they really come from?

If aquarium snails have appeared in your aquarium, you may be wondering, how did this happen? Most often they are transported along with freshly purchased plants, substrate and fish. We are unable to see them because they hide in the form of eggs or tiny crustaceans that are almost impossible to see with the naked eye. It only takes a few eggs to make a lot of fuss in the aquarium.

How can you prevent the appearance of uninvited guests in the aquarium? Well there are several ways to do this. By taking basic precautions, we can significantly reduce the risk of the appearance of snails in our tank. What is worth do?

  • any new plants are worth quarantining before placing them in the tank
  • plants can be bathed in a solution of copper sulfate, and then rinsed out
  • stones and gravel should also be rinsed under running water

But why should we remove these aquarium snails from our water tanks? Because they significantly reduce the aesthetic value of our aquarium and multiply at a very fast rate. They also produce a lot of droppings that fall to the bottom. Even worse, they bite holes in carefully tended plants. That’s why sooner or later most aquarists find it necessary to get down to their eradication.

How to get rid of snails from the aquarium?

If, despite taking all precautions, uninvited guests have appeared at your aquarium, you are bound to wonder – how to get rid of snails from the aquarium safely and effectively? Snails in the aquarium can be removed in several ways

One of the easiest ways to help reduce the pest population is to place a lettuce leaf in the aquarium. Once it attracts the crustaceans, it should be removed from the tank along with the snails. On a similar principle, but more professional, an aquarium snail trap works. It is a simple design with a bait in which the crustaceans are caught and cannot get out. Then you simply remove the trap along with the snails. However, mechanical methods of getting rid of snails from the aquarium eliminate only the adults and contribute to reducing the population, but not to eradicating it completely.

Aquarium stores also offer aquarium snail control products. They are safe for plants and fish and help to permanently crack down on the problem. However, the chemical treatment needs to be repeated – and sometimes several times, because most preparations do not destroy the eggs. Only by fighting the adults on an ongoing basis can you get rid of the problem once and for all. Aquarium snails also ill tolerate acidic and soft water – so lowering the pH in the water tank and adding demineralized water can help the problem, but it is not suitable for every aquarium.

Another safe and relatively simple way to get rid of snails is to put fish in the tank that feed on them. An example would be the spiny dogfish or the magnificent boyfish. However, it is worth taking into account that some fish are very territorial or may not feel comfortable in our tank. On the other hand, almost every aquarium will find another aquatic snail – Anentome helena, which appetitely devours uninvited snails. They are safe for the aquarium and relatively slow to multiply, so we do not have to worry about their invasion.

Are all snails in the aquarium harmful?

Although snails in an aquarium are often seen as pests, there are also desirable species. Snails for the aquarium can also enrich underwater life, be a beautiful decoration, and there are even species that are quite useful.

An example of this is the snail swarmer, which lives in the substrate. As a result, it not only fluffs it up, but also eats out debris and dead matter from it. Thus, this useful water snail improves water circulation and prevents the formation of septic zones.

Another useful example is the algae snail. It can be distinguished by its attractive coloration and original shape. Snails for aquariums that eat algae – such as Clithon or Neritina are distinguished by their very peaceful nature and do not damage plants.

Elliot S. Radcliffe is an enthusiastic aquarist who has been deeply involved in the hobby for over a decade. Elliot discovered their passion for aquaristics when they inherited a small betta fish tank during college. This initial encounter sparked a deep interest in aquatic life and ecosystem management.

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