I've got snails! what should I get?

Whitney · 02-28-2007, 07:52 PM

Hi all,

I have a 30 gallon aquarium that currently houses

2 German Blue Rams
6 Espei Rasboras
3 Diamond Tetras
1 Albino Bristlenose Pleco
1 Bamboo Shrimp
and a bunch of cherry shrimp

Last night I had to check something in my tank after the light had been out for a little while, and discovered a couple of little brown snails on my plants. I removed them....

Tonight, I looked in and noticed at least another four. To get an idea of the extent of the population, I set a film cannister trap some green pepper and algae wafers inside.....I'll check in the morning to see how many I collect.

In the meantime, I am researching loaches for long term population control. My dilemma is that I'd get a zebra loach (botia striata), but the things I've read indicate that they need to be kept in groups or 4 or more- and at 4 inches each- I think that's too much for my little 30 gallon tank.

I also really like Chain Loaches (Sidthimunki), and they're small enough that I can definitely get a shoal of 5 or 6- but I'm concerned that they are too small to effectively control the snail population.

What does everyone think? Is there another fish I'm overlooking? Can I keep just one zebra loach? Will the Sids do the job?

Thanks!

Stradius011 · 03-02-2007, 09:14 AM

Get 1 kuhli loach. They can be kept singly. They will group if other kuhli loaches are there but are natural loners in the wild.

MyraVan · 03-03-2007, 02:37 PM

I don't think that kuhli loaches will do the job. I have three in my tank, and a nice collection of snails as well (big ones and small ones). They are very snail-friendly loaches!

I also think that the sids look very cool, but don't have any at the moment. They are in the same family as the snail-eaters, so they would be a better bet than the kuhlis. ... A quick google suggests that while sids may not be as effective as the larger botias, they will certainly help keep the population down, even if they don't completely eliminate them.

I wouldn't get just one zebra loach... From what I understand they are a species that will do much better with friends. Loaches online says they are shoaling.

Fishboy93 · 03-04-2007, 08:36 AM

botias and clowns do best for snail control... sadly sidthimunki's cost 8.50 a piece at my lfs..

squishy · 03-07-2007, 09:56 PM

well i woud recomend a dojo loach cuz they do pretty much eat any kind of food nad they eat snails but the could grow big

02-28-2007, 07:52 PM	#1
Whitney Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 34	I've got snails! what should I get? Hi all, I have a 30 gallon aquarium that currently houses 2 German Blue Rams 6 Espei Rasboras 3 Diamond Tetras 1 Albino Bristlenose Pleco 1 Bamboo Shrimp and a bunch of cherry shrimp Last night I had to check something in my tank after the light had been out for a little while, and discovered a couple of little brown snails on my plants. I removed them.... Tonight, I looked in and noticed at least another four. To get an idea of the extent of the population, I set a film cannister trap some green pepper and algae wafers inside.....I'll check in the morning to see how many I collect. In the meantime, I am researching loaches for long term population control. My dilemma is that I'd get a zebra loach (botia striata), but the things I've read indicate that they need to be kept in groups or 4 or more- and at 4 inches each- I think that's too much for my little 30 gallon tank. I also really like Chain Loaches (Sidthimunki), and they're small enough that I can definitely get a shoal of 5 or 6- but I'm concerned that they are too small to effectively control the snail population. What does everyone think? Is there another fish I'm overlooking? Can I keep just one zebra loach? Will the Sids do the job? Thanks!

03-04-2007, 08:36 AM	#4
Fishboy93 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ft. Myers, FL Age: 15 Posts: 658	botias and clowns do best for snail control... sadly sidthimunki's cost 8.50 a piece at my lfs.. __________________ 29 Gallon Reef

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03-02-2007, 09:14 AM	#2
Stradius011 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Age: 14 Posts: 3	Get 1 kuhli loach. They can be kept singly. They will group if other kuhli loaches are there but are natural loners in the wild.

03-03-2007, 02:37 PM	#3
MyraVan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 864	I don't think that kuhli loaches will do the job. I have three in my tank, and a nice collection of snails as well (big ones and small ones). They are very snail-friendly loaches! I also think that the sids look very cool, but don't have any at the moment. They are in the same family as the snail-eaters, so they would be a better bet than the kuhlis. ... A quick google suggests that while sids may not be as effective as the larger botias, they will certainly help keep the population down, even if they don't completely eliminate them. I wouldn't get just one zebra loach... From what I understand they are a species that will do much better with friends. Loaches online says they are shoaling.

03-07-2007, 09:56 PM	#5
squishy Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Age: 17 Posts: 9	well i woud recomend a dojo loach cuz they do pretty much eat any kind of food nad they eat snails but the could grow big

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