Snails devouring everything! Please help!

[ksasmith]

Ive only recently got a freshwater tank (a 30 litre Biorb) & I bought some weed & 3 Mountain Minnows. About two weeks after buying these fish & weed, I noticed that I now have about 50 baby mountain minnows & about 1000 baby snails!!!

The snails are two different kinds & Im assuming they came in on the weed. One kind has an almost cone shaped shell & the other kind looks like a coin shape. The thing is that I started off with 3 bunches of weed & now only have about half a bunch left as the snails have totally destroyed it all!

I know snails lay eggs & can see masses of it in my tank at all times but I dont know enough to be able to tell if it is snail eggs or Mountain Minnow eggs that Im looking at!

Please help! I need to know if there is anyway that I can reduce the number of snails (drastically, if not altogether!) without killing all my baby Mountain Minnows.......?

[Justin Boucher]

It may be best if you determine what those snails are. Some snails, like
the Malaysian Trumpet Snails are actually favored in some tanks. Even
planted ones. Other snails are extremely destructive. It could be that
only one of the snail types that you have is causing all the damage.

Justin

"ksasmith" > wrote in message
...
>
> Ive only recently got a freshwater tank (a 30 litre Biorb) & I bought
> some weed & 3 Mountain Minnows. About two weeks after buying these fish
> & weed, I noticed that I now have about 50 baby mountain minnows & about
> 1000 baby snails!!!
>
> The snails are two different kinds & Im assuming they came in on the
> weed. One kind has an almost cone shaped shell & the other kind looks
> like a coin shape. The thing is that I started off with 3 bunches of
> weed & now only have about half a bunch left as the snails have totally
> destroyed it all!
>
> I know snails lay eggs & can see masses of it in my tank at all times
> but I dont know enough to be able to tell if it is snail eggs or
> Mountain Minnow eggs that Im looking at!
>
> Please help! I need to know if there is anyway that I can reduce the
> number of snails (drastically, if not altogether!) without killing all
> my baby Mountain Minnows.......?
>
>
> --
> ksasmith

[Logic316]

Justin Boucher wrote:
> It may be best if you determine what those snails are. Some snails, like
> the Malaysian Trumpet Snails are actually favored in some tanks. Even
> planted ones. Other snails are extremely destructive. It could be that
> only one of the snail types that you have is causing all the damage.

Even if he fishes out a bunch of the snails, some will surely still
remain. But whenever the snails get to be too much, just put a piece of
spinach or watercress at the bottom of the tank and most of the snails
will swarm on it. Then simply lift out the leaves along with the snails
and discard.

- Logic316



"Loyalty to the country always, loyalty to the government when it
deserves it."
--Mark Twain

[ksasmith]

Hi Justin

Thanks for your reply but how do I find out what the snails are?

ksasmith

It may be best if you determine what those snails are. Some snails, like
the Malaysian Trumpet Snails are actually favored in some tanks. Even
planted ones. Other snails are extremely destructive. It could be that
only one of the snail types that you have is causing all the damage.

Justin

"ksasmith" wrote in message
...

Ive only recently got a freshwater tank (a 30 litre Biorb) & I bought
some weed & 3 Mountain Minnows. About two weeks after buying these fish
& weed, I noticed that I now have about 50 baby mountain minnows & about
1000 baby snails!!!

The snails are two different kinds & Im assuming they came in on the
weed. One kind has an almost cone shaped shell & the other kind looks
like a coin shape. The thing is that I started off with 3 bunches of
weed & now only have about half a bunch left as the snails have totally
destroyed it all!

I know snails lay eggs & can see masses of it in my tank at all times
but I dont know enough to be able to tell if it is snail eggs or
Mountain Minnow eggs that Im looking at!

Please help! I need to know if there is anyway that I can reduce the
number of snails (drastically, if not altogether!) without killing all
my baby Mountain Minnows.......?


--
ksasmith

[Justin Boucher]

You can get some information from online sources. Try
http://www.applesnail.net/content/snails_various.php
This site may not tell you how well the snail does in an aquarium, but at
least you will have a better idea of which types of snails you have. Then
you will have a better chance of determining who the real culprits are.

Justin

"ksasmith" > wrote in message
...
>
> Hi Justin
>
> Thanks for your reply but how do I find out what the snails are?
>
> ksasmith
>
> Justin Boucher Wrote:
> > It may be best if you determine what those snails are. Some snails,
> > like
> > the Malaysian Trumpet Snails are actually favored in some tanks. Even
> > planted ones. Other snails are extremely destructive. It could be
> > that
> > only one of the snail types that you have is causing all the damage.
> >
> > Justin
> >
> > "ksasmith" wrote in message
> > ...-
> >
> > Ive only recently got a freshwater tank (a 30 litre Biorb) & I bought
> > some weed & 3 Mountain Minnows. About two weeks after buying these
> > fish
> > & weed, I noticed that I now have about 50 baby mountain minnows &
> > about
> > 1000 baby snails!!!
> >
> > The snails are two different kinds & Im assuming they came in on the
> > weed. One kind has an almost cone shaped shell & the other kind looks
> > like a coin shape. The thing is that I started off with 3 bunches of
> > weed & now only have about half a bunch left as the snails have
> > totally
> > destroyed it all!
> >
> > I know snails lay eggs & can see masses of it in my tank at all times
> > but I dont know enough to be able to tell if it is snail eggs or
> > Mountain Minnow eggs that Im looking at!
> >
> > Please help! I need to know if there is anyway that I can reduce the
> > number of snails (drastically, if not altogether!) without killing
> > all
> > my baby Mountain Minnows.......?
> >
> >
> > --
> > ksasmith-
>
>
> --
> ksasmith

[Justin Boucher]

Very true. However, if they found out which one was the culprit and which
one they prefered to keep, a small jar, tank water and a food source could
store the individually selected species. Then, a good snail erratication of
the tank. Once cleared (and water changed sufficiently to remove the
snailicide) reintroduce the desired species.

If this doesn't work, there are people out here (like me) that are
practically swimming in MTSs. Sparing a few dozen or so is not that big of
a deal.

Justin

"Logic316" > wrote in message
...
> Justin Boucher wrote:
> > It may be best if you determine what those snails are. Some snails,
like
> > the Malaysian Trumpet Snails are actually favored in some tanks. Even
> > planted ones. Other snails are extremely destructive. It could be that
> > only one of the snail types that you have is causing all the damage.
>
> Even if he fishes out a bunch of the snails, some will surely still
> remain. But whenever the snails get to be too much, just put a piece of
> spinach or watercress at the bottom of the tank and most of the snails
> will swarm on it. Then simply lift out the leaves along with the snails
> and discard.
>
> - Logic316
>
>
>
> "Loyalty to the country always, loyalty to the government when it
> deserves it."
> --Mark Twain

[ksasmith]

Hi

Many thanks for all your replies & for the link to that snail site. I believe the coin shaped snails I have are a type of Planorbidae & they dont seem to be the ones trashing all my plants to smithereens. The conical shaped ones are the ones I believe are doing all the damage but Im still not sure what species they are as they dont look like anything that was on that site....

However, regardless as to who is doing the damage, there are just far too many of them for the size of my tank!!! If I was to buy some snailicide as someone suggested does anyone know if it would kill my baby Mountain Minnows???

Thanks

ksasmith

Very true. However, if they found out which one was the culprit and which
one they prefered to keep, a small jar, tank water and a food source could
store the individually selected species. Then, a good snail erratication of
the tank. Once cleared (and water changed sufficiently to remove the
snailicide) reintroduce the desired species.

If this doesn't work, there are people out here (like me) that are
practically swimming in MTSs. Sparing a few dozen or so is not that big of
a deal.

Justin

"Logic316" wrote in message
...
Justin Boucher wrote:
It may be best if you determine what those snails are. Some snails,
like
the Malaysian Trumpet Snails are actually favored in some tanks. Even
planted ones. Other snails are extremely destructive. It could be that
only one of the snail types that you have is causing all the damage.

Even if he fishes out a bunch of the snails, some will surely still
remain. But whenever the snails get to be too much, just put a piece of
spinach or watercress at the bottom of the tank and most of the snails
will swarm on it. Then simply lift out the leaves along with the snails
and discard.

- Logic316



"Loyalty to the country always, loyalty to the government when it
deserves it."
--Mark Twain

[Justin Boucher]

I would be sure to check any chemicals you intend to use and how they could
affect your other inhabitants. Keep in mind that even if the snailicide
only affects the snails, the subsequent die off would most likely generate
an ammonia spike. Thereby stressing your other inhabitants.

You can use the suggestion of a zuchinni cut to bait the snails and then
physically remove the masses that collect on the vegetable. No you won't
remove all of them, but it will diminish the numbers to more managable
amounts.

Also, predators like cory cats and clown loaches are well known snail
eaters. I've got 1 small clown loach in my 240gal to help control my
Malaysian Trumpet Snail population. If your tank can use a predator such as
these, it would be something to consider.

Even if you do these last two snail removal methods, you can still finish up
with a chemical sweep. Ideally, the subsequent snail deaths wouldn't affect
your tank cycling much. Nevertheless, this is where good attention to water
changes and quality come in.

Best of Luck,
Justin

"ksasmith" > wrote in message
...
>
> Hi
>
> Many thanks for all your replies & for the link to that snail site. I
> believe the coin shaped snails I have are a type of Planorbidae & they
> dont seem to be the ones trashing all my plants to smithereens. The
> conical shaped ones are the ones I believe are doing all the damage but
> Im still not sure what species they are as they dont look like anything
> that was on that site....
>
> However, regardless as to who is doing the damage, there are just far
> too many of them for the size of my tank!!! If I was to buy some
> snailicide as someone suggested does anyone know if it would kill my
> baby Mountain Minnows???
>
> Thanks
>
> ksasmith
>
> Justin Boucher Wrote:
> > Very true. However, if they found out which one was the culprit and
> > which
> > one they prefered to keep, a small jar, tank water and a food source
> > could
> > store the individually selected species. Then, a good snail
> > erratication of
> > the tank. Once cleared (and water changed sufficiently to remove the
> > snailicide) reintroduce the desired species.
> >
> > If this doesn't work, there are people out here (like me) that are
> > practically swimming in MTSs. Sparing a few dozen or so is not that
> > big of
> > a deal.
> >
> > Justin
> >
> > "Logic316" wrote in message
> > ...-
> > Justin Boucher wrote:-
> > It may be best if you determine what those snails are. Some
> > snails,--
> > like--
> > the Malaysian Trumpet Snails are actually favored in some tanks.
> > Even
> > planted ones. Other snails are extremely destructive. It could be
> > that
> > only one of the snail types that you have is causing all the
> > damage.-
> >
> > Even if he fishes out a bunch of the snails, some will surely still
> > remain. But whenever the snails get to be too much, just put a piece
> > of
> > spinach or watercress at the bottom of the tank and most of the
> > snails
> > will swarm on it. Then simply lift out the leaves along with the
> > snails
> > and discard.
> >
> > - Logic316
> >
> >
> >
> > "Loyalty to the country always, loyalty to the government when it
> > deserves it."
> > --Mark Twain-
>
>
> --
> ksasmith

[lgb]

In article <DV3Se.956$AB4.410@trnddc03>, says...
> Also, predators like cory cats and clown loaches are well known snail
> eaters. I've got 1 small clown loach in my 240gal to help control my
> Malaysian Trumpet Snail population. If your tank can use a predator such as
> these, it would be something to consider.
>
Interesting. Not the snail eating, they are great for that. But I'd
heard that as a shoaling fish, a single loach would curl up and die. I
originally got 2 and they weren't all that happy. I added two more and
the 4 are active and happy.

Has yours perhaps adopted buddies from another species?

--
BNSF = Build Now, Seep Forever

[Gill Passman]

"lgb" > wrote in message
...
> In article <DV3Se.956$AB4.410@trnddc03>, says...
> > Also, predators like cory cats and clown loaches are well known snail
> > eaters. I've got 1 small clown loach in my 240gal to help control my
> > Malaysian Trumpet Snail population. If your tank can use a predator
such as
> > these, it would be something to consider.
> >
> Interesting. Not the snail eating, they are great for that. But I'd
> heard that as a shoaling fish, a single loach would curl up and die. I
> originally got 2 and they weren't all that happy. I added two more and
> the 4 are active and happy.
>
> Has yours perhaps adopted buddies from another species?
>
> --
> BNSF = Build Now, Seep Forever

I've just gone for YoYo Loaches in my son's 30 UK gall tank yesterday....the
snails are already on the decline - bought 4 - they are smaller than
Clowns....but yes, any loaches need to be kept in groups....

Gill

[Justin Boucher]

Yes, I would concur that loaches fair much better in groups. I already have
another nocturnal loach (horseface, I believe. I honestly can't remember
though) but other than the red tailed shark, those are the only two loaches
I have in the tank.

My intention was snail control, not snail elimination. The clown loach is
active and full of color. Not to mention a seemingly plump belly from all
the snail harvesting. I continue to keep an eye on him since I know that
they do prefer to be groups but perhaps I got the loner child of the brood
who is quite content of being alone with all the great food just crawling
out of the gravel. =)

Justin

"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
>
> "lgb" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In article <DV3Se.956$AB4.410@trnddc03>, says...
> > > Also, predators like cory cats and clown loaches are well known snail
> > > eaters. I've got 1 small clown loach in my 240gal to help control my
> > > Malaysian Trumpet Snail population. If your tank can use a predator
> such as
> > > these, it would be something to consider.
> > >
> > Interesting. Not the snail eating, they are great for that. But I'd
> > heard that as a shoaling fish, a single loach would curl up and die. I
> > originally got 2 and they weren't all that happy. I added two more and
> > the 4 are active and happy.
> >
> > Has yours perhaps adopted buddies from another species?
> >
> > --
> > BNSF = Build Now, Seep Forever
>
> I've just gone for YoYo Loaches in my son's 30 UK gall tank
yesterday....the
> snails are already on the decline - bought 4 - they are smaller than
> Clowns....but yes, any loaches need to be kept in groups....
>
> Gill
>
>
>

[Uncle Davey]

U¿ytkownik "Justin Boucher" > napisa³ w wiadomo¶ci
news:jNaSe.988$IT4.101@trnddc04...
> Yes, I would concur that loaches fair much better in groups. I already
have
> another nocturnal loach (horseface, I believe. I honestly can't remember
> though) but other than the red tailed shark, those are the only two
loaches
> I have in the tank.
>
> My intention was snail control, not snail elimination. The clown loach is
> active and full of color. Not to mention a seemingly plump belly from all
> the snail harvesting. I continue to keep an eye on him since I know that
> they do prefer to be groups but perhaps I got the loner child of the brood
> who is quite content of being alone with all the great food just crawling
> out of the gravel. =)
>
> Justin
>
> "Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> .. .
> >
> > "lgb" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > In article <DV3Se.956$AB4.410@trnddc03>, says...
> > > > Also, predators like cory cats and clown loaches are well known
snail
> > > > eaters. I've got 1 small clown loach in my 240gal to help control
my
> > > > Malaysian Trumpet Snail population. If your tank can use a predator
> > such as
> > > > these, it would be something to consider.
> > > >
> > > Interesting. Not the snail eating, they are great for that. But I'd
> > > heard that as a shoaling fish, a single loach would curl up and die.
I
> > > originally got 2 and they weren't all that happy. I added two more
and
> > > the 4 are active and happy.
> > >
> > > Has yours perhaps adopted buddies from another species?
> > >
> > > --
> > > BNSF = Build Now, Seep Forever
> >
> > I've just gone for YoYo Loaches in my son's 30 UK gall tank
> yesterday....the
> > snails are already on the decline - bought 4 - they are smaller than
> > Clowns....but yes, any loaches need to be kept in groups....
> >
> > Gill
> >
> >

4 or 5 clown loaches will eliminate all the snails you could ever reasonably
expect to find in the home aquarium.

They are extremely good at it. Their barbels are designed to manipulate the
shell so that the hole is next to their mouth, and then the give it that
clicky suck of theirs that you can hear when they eat, and the mollusc is,
putting it in a roundabout way, woken up, and made to smell that old
macracantha coffee.

There are snails that people want to have, such as apple snails, but clowns
will kill and eat these also, only not in one bite.

Uncle Davey

[Matthias Kleinicke]

Uncle Davey schrieb:
> U¿ytkownik "Justin Boucher" > napisa³ w wiadomo¶ci
> news:jNaSe.988$IT4.101@trnddc04...
>
>>Yes, I would concur that loaches fair much better in groups. I already
>
> have
>
>>another nocturnal loach (horseface, I believe. I honestly can't remember
>>though) but other than the red tailed shark, those are the only two
>
> loaches
>
>>I have in the tank.
>>
>>My intention was snail control, not snail elimination. The clown loach is
>>active and full of color. Not to mention a seemingly plump belly from all
>>the snail harvesting. I continue to keep an eye on him since I know that
>>they do prefer to be groups but perhaps I got the loner child of the brood
>>who is quite content of being alone with all the great food just crawling
>>out of the gravel. =)
>>
>>Justin
>>
>>"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
>>
>>>"lgb" > wrote in message
...
>>>
>>>>In article <DV3Se.956$AB4.410@trnddc03>, says...
>>>>
>>>>>Also, predators like cory cats and clown loaches are well known
>
> snail
>
>>>>>eaters. I've got 1 small clown loach in my 240gal to help control
>
> my
>
>>>>>Malaysian Trumpet Snail population. If your tank can use a predator
>>>
>>>such as
>>>
>>>>>these, it would be something to consider.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Interesting. Not the snail eating, they are great for that. But I'd
>>>>heard that as a shoaling fish, a single loach would curl up and die.
>
> I
>
>>>>originally got 2 and they weren't all that happy. I added two more
>
> and
>
>>>>the 4 are active and happy.
>>>>
>>>>Has yours perhaps adopted buddies from another species?
>>>>
>>>>--
>>>>BNSF = Build Now, Seep Forever
>>>
>>>I've just gone for YoYo Loaches in my son's 30 UK gall tank
>>
>>yesterday....the
>>
>>>snails are already on the decline - bought 4 - they are smaller than
>>>Clowns....but yes, any loaches need to be kept in groups....
>>>
>>>Gill
>>>
>>>
>
>
> 4 or 5 clown loaches will eliminate all the snails you could ever reasonably
> expect to find in the home aquarium.
>
> They are extremely good at it. Their barbels are designed to manipulate the
> shell so that the hole is next to their mouth, and then the give it that
> clicky suck of theirs that you can hear when they eat, and the mollusc is,
> putting it in a roundabout way, woken up, and made to smell that old
> macracantha coffee.
>
> There are snails that people want to have, such as apple snails, but clowns
> will kill and eat these also, only not in one bite.
>
> Uncle Davey
>
>

You are not serious suggesting 5 Clowns in 30 litre (8 gal)?
They will grow much too large!

Greetings

Matthias

[[email protected]]

Matthias Kleinicke wrote:
> Uncle Davey schrieb:
> > U=BFytkownik "Justin Boucher" > napisa=B3 w wiadomo=B6=
ci
> > news:jNaSe.988$IT4.101@trnddc04...
> >
> >>Yes, I would concur that loaches fair much better in groups. I already
> >
> > have
> >
> >>another nocturnal loach (horseface, I believe. I honestly can't rememb=
er
> >>though) but other than the red tailed shark, those are the only two
> >
> > loaches
> >
> >>I have in the tank.
> >>
> >>My intention was snail control, not snail elimination. The clown loach=
is
> >>active and full of color. Not to mention a seemingly plump belly from =
all
> >>the snail harvesting. I continue to keep an eye on him since I know th=
at
> >>they do prefer to be groups but perhaps I got the loner child of the br=
ood
> >>who is quite content of being alone with all the great food just crawli=
ng
> >>out of the gravel. =3D)
> >>
> >>Justin
> >>
> >>"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> .. .
> >>
> >>>"lgb" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>>
> >>>>In article <DV3Se.956$AB4.410@trnddc03>, says...
> >>>>
> >>>>>Also, predators like cory cats and clown loaches are well known
> >
> > snail
> >
> >>>>>eaters. I've got 1 small clown loach in my 240gal to help control
> >
> > my
> >
> >>>>>Malaysian Trumpet Snail population. If your tank can use a predator
> >>>
> >>>such as
> >>>
> >>>>>these, it would be something to consider.
> >>>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>Interesting. Not the snail eating, they are great for that. But I'd
> >>>>heard that as a shoaling fish, a single loach would curl up and die.
> >
> > I
> >
> >>>>originally got 2 and they weren't all that happy. I added two more
> >
> > and
> >
> >>>>the 4 are active and happy.
> >>>>
> >>>>Has yours perhaps adopted buddies from another species?
> >>>>
> >>>>--
> >>>>BNSF =3D Build Now, Seep Forever
> >>>
> >>>I've just gone for YoYo Loaches in my son's 30 UK gall tank
> >>
> >>yesterday....the
> >>
> >>>snails are already on the decline - bought 4 - they are smaller than
> >>>Clowns....but yes, any loaches need to be kept in groups....
> >>>
> >>>Gill
> >>>
> >>>
> >
> >
> > 4 or 5 clown loaches will eliminate all the snails you could ever reaso=
nably
> > expect to find in the home aquarium.
> >
> > They are extremely good at it. Their barbels are designed to manipulate=
the
> > shell so that the hole is next to their mouth, and then the give it that
> > clicky suck of theirs that you can hear when they eat, and the mollusc =
is,
> > putting it in a roundabout way, woken up, and made to smell that old
> > macracantha coffee.
> >
> > There are snails that people want to have, such as apple snails, but cl=
owns
> > will kill and eat these also, only not in one bite.
> >
> > Uncle Davey
> >
> >
>
> You are not serious suggesting 5 Clowns in 30 litre (8 gal)?
> They will grow much too large!
>

I said "4 to 5 Clown loaches will eliminate all the snails you could
reasonably expect to find in the home aquarium".

Is a 30 litre aquarium likely to have the largest number of snails that
one could reasonably expect to find in a home, ie. non-public aquarium?

You obviously have trouble parsing English, so I will say it in German
for you
:-)

"Vier bis fuenf Prachtschmerlen sind voellig ausreichend, um alle
Schnecken zu vernichten, die man in einem Becken zu Hause irgendwann zu
finden rationnel erwarten koennte."

I hope it's clear now.

Uncle Davey

www.usenetposts.com

[Matthias Kleinicke]

schrieb:
> Matthias Kleinicke wrote:
>
>>Uncle Davey schrieb:
>>
>>>U¿ytkownik "Justin Boucher" > napisa³ w wiadomo¶ci
>>>news:jNaSe.988$IT4.101@trnddc04...
>>>
>>>
>>>>Yes, I would concur that loaches fair much better in groups. I already
>>>
>>>have
>>>
>>>
>>>>another nocturnal loach (horseface, I believe. I honestly can't remember
>>>>though) but other than the red tailed shark, those are the only two
>>>
>>>loaches
>>>
>>>
>>>>I have in the tank.
>>>>
>>>>My intention was snail control, not snail elimination. The clown loach is
>>>>active and full of color. Not to mention a seemingly plump belly from all
>>>>the snail harvesting. I continue to keep an eye on him since I know that
>>>>they do prefer to be groups but perhaps I got the loner child of the brood
>>>>who is quite content of being alone with all the great food just crawling
>>>>out of the gravel. =)
>>>>
>>>>Justin
>>>>
>>>>"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>"lgb" > wrote in message
...
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>In article <DV3Se.956$AB4.410@trnddc03>, says...
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Also, predators like cory cats and clown loaches are well known
>>>
>>>snail
>>>
>>>
>>>>>>>eaters. I've got 1 small clown loach in my 240gal to help control
>>>
>>>my
>>>
>>>
>>>>>>>Malaysian Trumpet Snail population. If your tank can use a predator
>>>>>
>>>>>such as
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>these, it would be something to consider.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Interesting. Not the snail eating, they are great for that. But I'd
>>>>>>heard that as a shoaling fish, a single loach would curl up and die.
>>>
>>>I
>>>
>>>
>>>>>>originally got 2 and they weren't all that happy. I added two more
>>>
>>>and
>>>
>>>
>>>>>>the 4 are active and happy.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Has yours perhaps adopted buddies from another species?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>--
>>>>>>BNSF = Build Now, Seep Forever
>>>>>
>>>>>I've just gone for YoYo Loaches in my son's 30 UK gall tank
>>>>
>>>>yesterday....the
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>snails are already on the decline - bought 4 - they are smaller than
>>>>>Clowns....but yes, any loaches need to be kept in groups....
>>>>>
>>>>>Gill
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>4 or 5 clown loaches will eliminate all the snails you could ever reasonably
>>>expect to find in the home aquarium.
>>>
>>>They are extremely good at it. Their barbels are designed to manipulate the
>>>shell so that the hole is next to their mouth, and then the give it that
>>>clicky suck of theirs that you can hear when they eat, and the mollusc is,
>>>putting it in a roundabout way, woken up, and made to smell that old
>>>macracantha coffee.
>>>
>>>There are snails that people want to have, such as apple snails, but clowns
>>>will kill and eat these also, only not in one bite.
>>>
>>>Uncle Davey
>>>
>>>
>>
>>You are not serious suggesting 5 Clowns in 30 litre (8 gal)?
>>They will grow much too large!
>>
>
>
> I said "4 to 5 Clown loaches will eliminate all the snails you could
> reasonably expect to find in the home aquarium".
>
> Is a 30 litre aquarium likely to have the largest number of snails that
> one could reasonably expect to find in a home, ie. non-public aquarium?
>
> You obviously have trouble parsing English, so I will say it in German
> for you
> :-)
It's no problem with understanding. All I wanted to point at is the
information given by OP. There it is an 30 liter tank.
>
> "Vier bis fuenf Prachtschmerlen sind voellig ausreichend, um alle
> Schnecken zu vernichten, die man in einem Becken zu Hause irgendwann zu
> finden rationnel erwarten koennte."
>
> I hope it's clear now.
It was and is. But it's not much help for OP.
>
> Uncle Davey
>
> www.usenetposts.com
>
Greetings

Matthias

[lgb]

In article >, says...
> schrieb:

<snip>

[Uncle Davey]

Uzytkownik "Matthias Kleinicke" > napisal w
wiadomosci ...
> schrieb:
> > Matthias Kleinicke wrote:
> >
> >>Uncle Davey schrieb:
> >>
> >>>U¿ytkownik "Justin Boucher" > napisa³ w wiadomo¶ci
> >>>news:jNaSe.988$IT4.101@trnddc04...
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>Yes, I would concur that loaches fair much better in groups. I
already
> >>>
> >>>have
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>another nocturnal loach (horseface, I believe. I honestly can't
remember
> >>>>though) but other than the red tailed shark, those are the only two
> >>>
> >>>loaches
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>I have in the tank.
> >>>>
> >>>>My intention was snail control, not snail elimination. The clown
loach is
> >>>>active and full of color. Not to mention a seemingly plump belly from
all
> >>>>the snail harvesting. I continue to keep an eye on him since I know
that
> >>>>they do prefer to be groups but perhaps I got the loner child of the
brood
> >>>>who is quite content of being alone with all the great food just
crawling
> >>>>out of the gravel. =)
> >>>>
> >>>>Justin
> >>>>
> >>>>"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> .. .
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>>"lgb" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>>In article <DV3Se.956$AB4.410@trnddc03>, says...
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>>Also, predators like cory cats and clown loaches are well known
> >>>
> >>>snail
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>>>>eaters. I've got 1 small clown loach in my 240gal to help control
> >>>
> >>>my
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>>>>Malaysian Trumpet Snail population. If your tank can use a
predator
> >>>>>
> >>>>>such as
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>>>these, it would be something to consider.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>Interesting. Not the snail eating, they are great for that. But
I'd
> >>>>>>heard that as a shoaling fish, a single loach would curl up and die.
> >>>
> >>>I
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>>>originally got 2 and they weren't all that happy. I added two more
> >>>
> >>>and
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>>>the 4 are active and happy.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>Has yours perhaps adopted buddies from another species?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>--
> >>>>>>BNSF = Build Now, Seep Forever
> >>>>>
> >>>>>I've just gone for YoYo Loaches in my son's 30 UK gall tank
> >>>>
> >>>>yesterday....the
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>>snails are already on the decline - bought 4 - they are smaller than
> >>>>>Clowns....but yes, any loaches need to be kept in groups....
> >>>>>
> >>>>>Gill
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>4 or 5 clown loaches will eliminate all the snails you could ever
reasonably
> >>>expect to find in the home aquarium.
> >>>
> >>>They are extremely good at it. Their barbels are designed to manipulate
the
> >>>shell so that the hole is next to their mouth, and then the give it
that
> >>>clicky suck of theirs that you can hear when they eat, and the mollusc
is,
> >>>putting it in a roundabout way, woken up, and made to smell that old
> >>>macracantha coffee.
> >>>
> >>>There are snails that people want to have, such as apple snails, but
clowns
> >>>will kill and eat these also, only not in one bite.
> >>>
> >>>Uncle Davey
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>You are not serious suggesting 5 Clowns in 30 litre (8 gal)?
> >>They will grow much too large!
> >>
> >
> >
> > I said "4 to 5 Clown loaches will eliminate all the snails you could
> > reasonably expect to find in the home aquarium".
> >
> > Is a 30 litre aquarium likely to have the largest number of snails that
> > one could reasonably expect to find in a home, ie. non-public aquarium?
> >
> > You obviously have trouble parsing English, so I will say it in German
> > for you
> > :-)
> It's no problem with understanding. All I wanted to point at is the
> information given by OP. There it is an 30 liter tank.
> >
> > "Vier bis fuenf Prachtschmerlen sind voellig ausreichend, um alle
> > Schnecken zu vernichten, die man in einem Becken zu Hause irgendwann zu
> > finden rationnel erwarten koennte."
> >
> > I hope it's clear now.
> It was and is. But it's not much help for OP.
> >
> > Uncle Davey
> >
> > www.usenetposts.com
> >
> Greetings
>
> Matthias

Well sorry to OP, and all, but Uncle Davey would not recommend a 30 litre
tank in the first place.

It is more work for less effect than a bigger tank, and the only good reason
for it is not having any space available for a bigger one.

I don't think you can get a lot of pleasure out of this hobby with just a 30
litre tank. That is for a goldfish or a family of guppies or a Betta.

Or a breeding tank for a pair of small cichlids for a few weeks.

Uncle Davey

[Uncle Davey]

OK

[ksasmith]

Wow! I didnt realise that my snail problem or the size of my tank would create such a heated debate!!!!

I thank you all for all your replies be they helpfull or otherwise but now I think Im gonna run & hide before the gloves come off.....