Snail Eaters - Not Clown Loaches

[NetMax]

"Tom" > wrote in message
news:jeVed.938$HA.108@attbi_s01...
>
> "Bill Stock" > wrote in message
> ...
> >I started up a plant tank with some pond plants about five weeks ago.
I've
> > been doing this slowly, adding Trace Elements, C02, Macro Nutrients,
etc.
> > This past week the plants started looking pretty good, although I
think my
> > light levels are still too low (55 gal : 144 CF Watts). But now I
have
> > snails. Stagnant Pond Snails I think. Could these things take five
weeks
> > to
> > hatch?
> >
> > I want to make this a Community Tank once I'm happy with the plants,
so
> > what
> > tropical fish will eat the snails. I like the Clown Loaches, but they
will
> > grow too big for this tank. Do any of the smaller Loaches like
snails,
> > maybe
> > a Yoyo Loach?
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> I ahve three yo-yo loaches and they do jut fine. They are said to top
out
> at about 4" to 5". My largest, which I assume by the body shape and
size is
> a female, has grown considerably in the short time I have had them.
From
> about 3" to 4.5", but I feed a live food diet and there were lots of
snails
> in the tank when I put them in. None now. :)
>
> Tom


The Zebra loach tends to stay a bit smaller than the yoyo and by
reputation, is a slightly better snailer, but results vary by individual.
There are also fish which are very effective snail egg eaters, which is
another approach to take.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Bill Stock]

I started up a plant tank with some pond plants about five weeks ago. I've
been doing this slowly, adding Trace Elements, C02, Macro Nutrients, etc.
This past week the plants started looking pretty good, although I think my
light levels are still too low (55 gal : 144 CF Watts). But now I have
snails. Stagnant Pond Snails I think. Could these things take five weeks to
hatch?

I want to make this a Community Tank once I'm happy with the plants, so what
tropical fish will eat the snails. I like the Clown Loaches, but they will
grow too big for this tank. Do any of the smaller Loaches like snails, maybe
a Yoyo Loach?

[Tom]

"Bill Stock" > wrote in message
...
>I started up a plant tank with some pond plants about five weeks ago. I've
> been doing this slowly, adding Trace Elements, C02, Macro Nutrients, etc.
> This past week the plants started looking pretty good, although I think my
> light levels are still too low (55 gal : 144 CF Watts). But now I have
> snails. Stagnant Pond Snails I think. Could these things take five weeks
> to
> hatch?
>
> I want to make this a Community Tank once I'm happy with the plants, so
> what
> tropical fish will eat the snails. I like the Clown Loaches, but they will
> grow too big for this tank. Do any of the smaller Loaches like snails,
> maybe
> a Yoyo Loach?
>
>
>


I ahve three yo-yo loaches and they do jut fine. They are said to top out
at about 4" to 5". My largest, which I assume by the body shape and size is
a female, has grown considerably in the short time I have had them. From
about 3" to 4.5", but I feed a live food diet and there were lots of snails
in the tank when I put them in. None now. :)

Tom

[Gene Heitman]

I had a snail problem in two ten gallon tanks. I added a pair of dwarf
loaches to one and three to the other and the snails have almost completely
disappeared. Dwarf loaches are the smallest loaches available but they are
more expensive and less common than the zebra loach which should also do the
job. I have found the dwarf loaches to be very well behaved and fun to
watch. They have not disturbed the other fish in the tank at all. You can
read more about them at Loaches Online (http://www.loaches.com/).

Gene Heitman

"Bill Stock" > wrote in message
...
>I started up a plant tank with some pond plants about five weeks ago. I've
> been doing this slowly, adding Trace Elements, C02, Macro Nutrients, etc.
> This past week the plants started looking pretty good, although I think my
> light levels are still too low (55 gal : 144 CF Watts). But now I have
> snails. Stagnant Pond Snails I think. Could these things take five weeks
> to
> hatch?
>
> I want to make this a Community Tank once I'm happy with the plants, so
> what
> tropical fish will eat the snails. I like the Clown Loaches, but they will
> grow too big for this tank. Do any of the smaller Loaches like snails,
> maybe
> a Yoyo Loach?
>
>
>

[Bill Stock]

"NetMax" > wrote in message
.. .
> "Tom" > wrote in message
> news:jeVed.938$HA.108@attbi_s01...
> >
> > "Bill Stock" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > >I started up a plant tank with some pond plants about five weeks ago.
> I've
> > > been doing this slowly, adding Trace Elements, C02, Macro Nutrients,
> etc.
> > > This past week the plants started looking pretty good, although I
> think my
> > > light levels are still too low (55 gal : 144 CF Watts). But now I
> have
> > > snails. Stagnant Pond Snails I think. Could these things take five
> weeks
> > > to
> > > hatch?
> > >
> > > I want to make this a Community Tank once I'm happy with the plants,
> so
> > > what
> > > tropical fish will eat the snails. I like the Clown Loaches, but they
> will
> > > grow too big for this tank. Do any of the smaller Loaches like
> snails,
> > > maybe
> > > a Yoyo Loach?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > I ahve three yo-yo loaches and they do jut fine. They are said to top
> out
> > at about 4" to 5". My largest, which I assume by the body shape and
> size is
> > a female, has grown considerably in the short time I have had them.
> From
> > about 3" to 4.5", but I feed a live food diet and there were lots of
> snails
> > in the tank when I put them in. None now. :)
> >
> > Tom
>
>
> The Zebra loach tends to stay a bit smaller than the yoyo and by
> reputation, is a slightly better snailer, but results vary by individual.
> There are also fish which are very effective snail egg eaters, which is
> another approach to take.

Like Bettas?

I did consider them, but I keep reading that so many community fish can be
fin nippers.

> --
> www.NetMax.tk
>
>

[Bill Stock]

"Gene Heitman" > wrote in message
news:T7Xed.242414$wV.109122@attbi_s54...
> I had a snail problem in two ten gallon tanks. I added a pair of dwarf
> loaches to one and three to the other and the snails have almost
completely
> disappeared. Dwarf loaches are the smallest loaches available but they
are
> more expensive and less common than the zebra loach which should also do
the
> job. I have found the dwarf loaches to be very well behaved and fun to
> watch. They have not disturbed the other fish in the tank at all. You
can
> read more about them at Loaches Online (http://www.loaches.com/).

Thanks, great site. More reading. :)



> "Bill Stock" > wrote in message
> ...
> >I started up a plant tank with some pond plants about five weeks ago.
I've
> > been doing this slowly, adding Trace Elements, C02, Macro Nutrients,
etc.
> > This past week the plants started looking pretty good, although I think
my
> > light levels are still too low (55 gal : 144 CF Watts). But now I have
> > snails. Stagnant Pond Snails I think. Could these things take five weeks
> > to
> > hatch?
> >
> > I want to make this a Community Tank once I'm happy with the plants, so
> > what
> > tropical fish will eat the snails. I like the Clown Loaches, but they
will
> > grow too big for this tank. Do any of the smaller Loaches like snails,
> > maybe
> > a Yoyo Loach?
> >
> >
> >
>
>

[Gail Futoran]

"Bill Stock" > wrote in message
...
> I started up a plant tank with some pond plants about five
weeks ago. I've
> been doing this slowly, adding Trace Elements, C02, Macro
Nutrients, etc.
> This past week the plants started looking pretty good,
although I think my
> light levels are still too low (55 gal : 144 CF Watts).
But now I have
> snails. Stagnant Pond Snails I think. Could these things
take five weeks to
> hatch?
>
> I want to make this a Community Tank once I'm happy with
the plants, so what
> tropical fish will eat the snails. I like the Clown
Loaches, but they will
> grow too big for this tank. Do any of the smaller Loaches
like snails, maybe
> a Yoyo Loach?

In my tanks my Skunk botia seem to do a better
snail-eating job than the Yo-Yo loaches (different
species are in different tanks).

Gail


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10/15/2004

[Seb]

Bill Stock wrote:
> I started up a plant tank with some pond plants about five weeks ago. I've
> been doing this slowly, adding Trace Elements, C02, Macro Nutrients, etc.
> This past week the plants started looking pretty good, although I think my
> light levels are still too low (55 gal : 144 CF Watts). But now I have
> snails. Stagnant Pond Snails I think. Could these things take five weeks to
> hatch?
>
> I want to make this a Community Tank once I'm happy with the plants, so what
> tropical fish will eat the snails. I like the Clown Loaches, but they will
> grow too big for this tank. Do any of the smaller Loaches like snails, maybe
> a Yoyo Loach?

Puffers are a possibility, but of course they eat tankmates as well as
snails...

Seb

[NetMax]

"Bill Stock" > wrote in message
...
>
> "NetMax" > wrote in message
> .. .
> > "Tom" > wrote in message
> > news:jeVed.938$HA.108@attbi_s01...
> > >
> > > "Bill Stock" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > >I started up a plant tank with some pond plants about five weeks
ago.
> > I've
> > > > been doing this slowly, adding Trace Elements, C02, Macro
Nutrients,
> > etc.
> > > > This past week the plants started looking pretty good, although I
> > think my
> > > > light levels are still too low (55 gal : 144 CF Watts). But now I
> > have
> > > > snails. Stagnant Pond Snails I think. Could these things take
five
> > weeks
> > > > to
> > > > hatch?
> > > >
> > > > I want to make this a Community Tank once I'm happy with the
plants,
> > so
> > > > what
> > > > tropical fish will eat the snails. I like the Clown Loaches, but
they
> > will
> > > > grow too big for this tank. Do any of the smaller Loaches like
> > snails,
> > > > maybe
> > > > a Yoyo Loach?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I ahve three yo-yo loaches and they do jut fine. They are said to
top
> > out
> > > at about 4" to 5". My largest, which I assume by the body shape
and
> > size is
> > > a female, has grown considerably in the short time I have had them.
> > From
> > > about 3" to 4.5", but I feed a live food diet and there were lots
of
> > snails
> > > in the tank when I put them in. None now. :)
> > >
> > > Tom
> >
> >
> > The Zebra loach tends to stay a bit smaller than the yoyo and by
> > reputation, is a slightly better snailer, but results vary by
individual.
> > There are also fish which are very effective snail egg eaters, which
is
> > another approach to take.
>
> Like Bettas?
>
> I did consider them, but I keep reading that so many community fish can
be
> fin nippers.
>


I was thinking about other loaches, but the sci.name escapes me. They
are very similar to a botia body shape except they have a more elongated
snout. Perhaps someone else can provide the name. Many cichlids will
also do the job, and there are many to choose from which like soft acidic
water and don't get too big.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Curtis]

I was kind of wondering if Rainbow fish don't eat snails. I set up a
planted 75g tank about 6 weeks ago and about 2 weeks ago started seeing
snails (I counted as many as 10). They typically spent the better part of
the day scavenging the glass and I really didn't see them as an issue just
yet. Last week I added 6 Rainbowfish to the tank and this week I can only
see three of the larger (which at this point is about 1/4") and I've found
at least one empty shell.

Maybe it was just a coincidence. I also have 12 zebra Danios a 5" Angel
fish and a 5" Pleco in the aquarium.

"Commander Vimes" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 24 Oct 2004 13:18:31 -0400, "Bill Stock" >
> wrote:
>
> >I started up a plant tank with some pond plants about five weeks ago.
I've
> >been doing this slowly, adding Trace Elements, C02, Macro Nutrients, etc.
> >This past week the plants started looking pretty good, although I think
my
> >light levels are still too low (55 gal : 144 CF Watts). But now I have
> >snails. Stagnant Pond Snails I think. Could these things take five weeks
to
> >hatch?
> >
> >I want to make this a Community Tank once I'm happy with the plants, so
what
> >tropical fish will eat the snails. I like the Clown Loaches, but they
will
> >grow too big for this tank. Do any of the smaller Loaches like snails,
maybe
> >a Yoyo Loach?
>
> I have a couple of Botia Histrionica's (Golden Zebra loach) - within 3
> weeks of putting them in a snail infested 120 litre tank, the whole
> tank was clear. These are active during the day and also swim in the
> mid-section of the tank.
>
> Other bonuses include they only grow to 10cm (3.5 inches) maximum.
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Vimes

[Scott]

I have had two clown loachs for the last six months in my aquarium. they eat
all the snails that were in my aquarium. they have barely grown in the time
that I have had them, so they could be alright for your tank for quite a
while.

Scott


"Seb" > wrote in message
...
> Bill Stock wrote:
>> I started up a plant tank with some pond plants about five weeks ago.
>> I've
>> been doing this slowly, adding Trace Elements, C02, Macro Nutrients, etc.
>> This past week the plants started looking pretty good, although I think
>> my
>> light levels are still too low (55 gal : 144 CF Watts). But now I have
>> snails. Stagnant Pond Snails I think. Could these things take five weeks
>> to
>> hatch?
>>
>> I want to make this a Community Tank once I'm happy with the plants, so
>> what
>> tropical fish will eat the snails. I like the Clown Loaches, but they
>> will
>> grow too big for this tank. Do any of the smaller Loaches like snails,
>> maybe
>> a Yoyo Loach?
>
> Puffers are a possibility, but of course they eat tankmates as well as
> snails...
>
> Seb

[js1]

I just crush the snails when the crawl on the glass. Your fish will
eat the unprotected snail flesh.

--
"I have to decide between two equally frightening options.
If I wanted to do that, I'd vote." --Duckman

[Victor Martinez]

Scott wrote:
> all the snails that were in my aquarium. they have barely grown in the time
> that I have had them, so they could be alright for your tank for quite a
> while.

Whereas one of mine grew like a weed in 6 months. S/he is now a good 6
inches, while her smalling "sibling" (they were all the same size and
from the same source when I got them) is half her size.

--
Victor Martinez
Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)
Send your spam here:
Email me here:

[Bill Stock]

"Victor Martinez" > wrote in message
...
> Scott wrote:
> > all the snails that were in my aquarium. they have barely grown in the
time
> > that I have had them, so they could be alright for your tank for quite a
> > while.
>
> Whereas one of mine grew like a weed in 6 months. S/he is now a good 6
> inches, while her smalling "sibling" (they were all the same size and
> from the same source when I got them) is half her size.

Thanks Victor, how big is your tank BTW.

It's looking like a Zebra Loach(es).

[Scott]

if you get them when they are young they are only a couple of inch's or in
size. the two I have are both around two inches in length. I think that they
are well worth the space that they take up in my 40gal aquarium.
"Bill Stock" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Victor Martinez" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Scott wrote:
>> > all the snails that were in my aquarium. they have barely grown in the
> time
>> > that I have had them, so they could be alright for your tank for quite
>> > a
>> > while.
>>
>> Whereas one of mine grew like a weed in 6 months. S/he is now a good 6
>> inches, while her smalling "sibling" (they were all the same size and
>> from the same source when I got them) is half her size.
>
> Thanks Victor, how big is your tank BTW.
>
> It's looking like a Zebra Loach(es).
>
>
>

[Victor Martinez]

Bill Stock wrote:
> Thanks Victor, how big is your tank BTW.

It's 110 gallons.

> It's looking like a Zebra Loach(es).

Those stay very small (I have one that's at least 1 year old and it's
only 2 inches long) and are very good snail eaters.


--
Victor Martinez
Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)
Send your spam here:
Email me here:

[Kevin Gomez]

Will dwarf loaches eat Yamato shrimp?

Kevin

"Gene Heitman" > wrote in message
news:T7Xed.242414$wV.109122@attbi_s54...
>I had a snail problem in two ten gallon tanks. I added a pair of dwarf
>loaches to one and three to the other and the snails have almost completely
>disappeared. Dwarf loaches are the smallest loaches available but they are
>more expensive and less common than the zebra loach which should also do
>the job. I have found the dwarf loaches to be very well behaved and fun to
>watch. They have not disturbed the other fish in the tank at all. You can
>read more about them at Loaches Online (http://www.loaches.com/).
>
> Gene Heitman
> >> a Yoyo Loach?