Question about adding snails to fish tank.

[I Love Brian, Forever <3]

I have 4 goldfish in an aquarium and was wondering if it'd be ok to add snails?

And how do you care for them?

Thanks in advance.

[Cincy'sMom]

I have several small snails in my fish tank. There were one or two in the bag when I bought my fish and I just dumped them in. They take care of themselves . I put the first ones in '97, I've always had some, and I have never added more.

[hamsterlover]

Hi! You shouldn't have a problem. I have a snail that has thrived for several years....it was a tiny thing that accidentally got into the bag when I bought a bigger snail...that one died fairly quickly, but the small one thrived and is now nearly 3 inches long and just about as tall...he's gorgeous! They're easy....they take care of themselves and find algae to suck on when you think your tank is clean. And if the conditions are right, they asexually reproduce, meaning they don't need a mate. I've been told a sac floats on the top of the tank and it's up to me whether I let it hatch or throw it away....knowing me, I'd leave it alone because I could never knowingly kill anything, but it's never happened. But they're neat to have and keep your tank pretty clean and are very low-maintenance. I'd stick to two at the most, though....the more you have, the less food each has, and then they'll die off. One is plenty for a ten gallon.

Good luck!

Donna/hamsterlover

[RubyMutt]

Like the others said, they pretty much care for themselves. One of my good friends has a 75 gallon tank. He bought a few snails. Since, like hamsterlover said, they are asexual, he very quickly had over 100 snails! So, be forewarned

[shellonabeach]

I was always told that fish and snails was a bad idea, because of the reproduction. The snails favour an environment which differs to that which is optimum for the fish, so if you have a lot of snails then the tank conditions will not be good for the fish.

I did have some snails, which came on a live plant we bought. They started off at around 5 and rapidly multiplied, they were all rehomed to a large pond!

[iceyshiver21]

I had one snail....then
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snails. Ok maybe that was an exageration but still. It was for the most part true. They are good to have around but hard to get rid of.

[hamsterlover]

Odd...mine's never bred....my frogs haven't either, although I have a male and a female, and according to what I've read online, their 'water dance' is their mating ritual. Maybe the pH and/or the general conditions aren't right for them to breed. I'm glad they haven't! That's quite all right, lol.....

So just because you have a snail, that doesn't mean it will breed...but I've heard when they do, there are tons of them....but if you find a sac on the top of the water, take it to the pet store...they might give you something for them, and it's not like the 'mama' snail has to nurse them or anything...they're self-sufficient from birth, from what I've been told. So it's no crisis if it *does* have...what do you call little snails, anyway? Babies.....

LOL

Donna/hamsterlover

[iceyshiver21]

Certain snails I belive produce by them selves...I know mine did.

[hamsterlover]

I know, at least that's what I've been told. That's why I assume the conditions aren't right for it. That's OK, don't want hundreds of snails, anyway lol.....

[Twisterdog]

It depends somewhat on the type of snails you have whether you are likely to become overrun or not. Ramshorn snails (the round ones) and the long, cornucopia-looking ones (I forget the name) will turn from one snail into a zillion snails in no time. They reporduce at a frightening rate.

Apple snails, which get big and are cool, lay their eggs right above the water line. So if you keep the tank full to the top, they are less likely to lay eggs.

I have mystery snails in my tank. I think they are the prettiest. Mine have lavender/purple shells and black bodies. They get pretty big. I have heard they don't reproduce as easily as other snails. And that's a good thing!