Algae problem

I have finally decided to tackle my aquarium's algae problem. For many
months now I have simply bit the bullet and scrubbed my tank with a algae
scrubber, but over time the situation grew out of control because I couldn't
reach all the little nooks and crannies and the tank was starting to look
really grimy. So, about 3 weeks ago I decided to put a single snail in the
tank to eat. What a job he did too!

I know that many people have problems with snails breeding and taking over
the tank, so me, thinking I was very clever, only got one snail, hoping to
deny him the pleasure of finding a mate. Now my friend informs me that
snails have both male and female parts and can still reproduce. Is this
true? Please say no because he is such a good cleaner and I don't want to
get rid of him (or her, or both I guess)!

David McDermott wrote:
I have finally decided to tackle my aquarium's algae problem. For many
months now I have simply bit the bullet and scrubbed my tank with a algae
scrubber, but over time the situation grew out of control because I couldn't
reach all the little nooks and crannies and the tank was starting to look
really grimy. So, about 3 weeks ago I decided to put a single snail in the
tank to eat. What a job he did too!

I know that many people have problems with snails breeding and taking over
the tank, so me, thinking I was very clever, only got one snail, hoping to
deny him the pleasure of finding a mate. Now my friend informs me that
snails have both male and female parts and can still reproduce. Is this
true? Please say no because he is such a good cleaner and I don't want to
get rid of him (or her, or both I guess)!



I believe that they are hermaphrodites...but don't think that they can
impregnate themselves....from what I remember snails breed by firing
"love-darts" at another snail which stimulates the correct hormone for
breeding - at least land snails do...you might need to google for the
type of snail that you have

If he/she/it is doing a good job on the algae and you are happy I
wouldn't worry about it until you start notice more of them on the glass

Gill

David McDermott wrote:
I have finally decided to tackle my aquarium's algae problem. For many
months now I have simply bit the bullet and scrubbed my tank with a algae
scrubber, but over time the situation grew out of control because I couldn't
reach all the little nooks and crannies and the tank was starting to look
really grimy. So, about 3 weeks ago I decided to put a single snail in the
tank to eat. What a job he did too!

I know that many people have problems with snails breeding and taking over
the tank, so me, thinking I was very clever, only got one snail, hoping to
deny him the pleasure of finding a mate. Now my friend informs me that
snails have both male and female parts and can still reproduce. Is this
true? Please say no because he is such a good cleaner and I don't want to
get rid of him (or her, or both I guess)!

What sort of snail is it?

--
Put the word aquaria in the subject to email me.
Did you read the FAQ? http://faq.thekrib.com

Thanks for the info! I don't think I will get rid of mr. snail unless I see
some baby snails. If it does reproduce I will at least have learned a
lesson! You would think the pet store guy would have warned me if this was
a real concern, although I suppose I would be foolish to rely on that.

"Gill Passman" wrote in message
...
David McDermott wrote:
I have finally decided to tackle my aquarium's algae problem. For many
months now I have simply bit the bullet and scrubbed my tank with a algae
scrubber, but over time the situation grew out of control because I
couldn't reach all the little nooks and crannies and the tank was
starting to look really grimy. So, about 3 weeks ago I decided to put a
single snail in the tank to eat. What a job he did too!

I know that many people have problems with snails breeding and taking
over the tank, so me, thinking I was very clever, only got one snail,
hoping to deny him the pleasure of finding a mate. Now my friend informs
me that snails have both male and female parts and can still reproduce.
Is this true? Please say no because he is such a good cleaner and I
don't want to get rid of him (or her, or both I guess)!

I believe that they are hermaphrodites...but don't think that they can
impregnate themselves....from what I remember snails breed by firing
"love-darts" at another snail which stimulates the correct hormone for
breeding - at least land snails do...you might need to google for the type
of snail that you have

If he/she/it is doing a good job on the algae and you are happy I wouldn't
worry about it until you start notice more of them on the glass

Gill

"Altum" wrote in message
. net...
David McDermott wrote:
I have finally decided to tackle my aquarium's algae problem. For many
months now I have simply bit the bullet and scrubbed my tank with a algae
scrubber, but over time the situation grew out of control because I
couldn't reach all the little nooks and crannies and the tank was
starting to look really grimy. So, about 3 weeks ago I decided to put a
single snail in the tank to eat. What a job he did too!

I know that many people have problems with snails breeding and taking
over the tank, so me, thinking I was very clever, only got one snail,
hoping to deny him the pleasure of finding a mate. Now my friend informs
me that snails have both male and female parts and can still reproduce.
Is this true? Please say no because he is such a good cleaner and I
don't want to get rid of him (or her, or both I guess)!

What sort of snail is it?

--
Put the word aquaria in the subject to email me.
Did you read the FAQ? http://faq.thekrib.com

That's part of the problem. In my haste and naivety I didn't even think to
ask. Assuming it didn't make much difference, I just told the pet store guy
"I need a snail that eats algae" and he said "here ya go" or something like
that. Are some species self reproducing and some not? That would certainly
be helpful for future reference.

On Fri, 21 Apr 2006 20:36:53 GMT, "David McDermott"
wrote:



"Altum" wrote in message
.net...
David McDermott wrote:
I have finally decided to tackle my aquarium's algae problem. For many
months now I have simply bit the bullet and scrubbed my tank with a algae
scrubber, but over time the situation grew out of control because I
couldn't reach all the little nooks and crannies and the tank was
starting to look really grimy. So, about 3 weeks ago I decided to put a
single snail in the tank to eat. What a job he did too!

I know that many people have problems with snails breeding and taking
over the tank, so me, thinking I was very clever, only got one snail,
hoping to deny him the pleasure of finding a mate. Now my friend informs
me that snails have both male and female parts and can still reproduce.
Is this true? Please say no because he is such a good cleaner and I
don't want to get rid of him (or her, or both I guess)!

What sort of snail is it?

--
Put the word aquaria in the subject to email me.
Did you read the FAQ? http://faq.thekrib.com

That's part of the problem. In my haste and naivety I didn't even think to
ask. Assuming it didn't make much difference, I just told the pet store guy
"I need a snail that eats algae" and he said "here ya go" or something like
that. Are some species self reproducing and some not? That would certainly
be helpful for future reference.



Try googling for ramshorn snail and for apple snail, those are the two
you would most likely be given.

As far as I know, what Gill told you is correct, except that there are
a few snails that have separate male and female genders, most are
hermaphroditic. The problem with just one is that it may have been
darted already and be developing eggs.

People complain about snails, but learn to live with them.

David McDermott wrote:
"Altum" wrote in message

That's part of the problem. In my haste and naivety I didn't even think to
ask. Assuming it didn't make much difference, I just told the pet store guy
"I need a snail that eats algae" and he said "here ya go" or something like
that. Are some species self reproducing and some not? That would certainly
be helpful for future reference.

It's probably a mystery/apple snail. That's the most common snail in
pet shops. Check http://applesnail.net for pictures and info. They
have separate sexes and lay their eggs above the water line in big
clusters. Don't worry about it reproducing.

--
Put the word aquaria in the subject to email me.
Did you read the FAQ? http://faq.thekrib.com

On Fri, 21 Apr 2006 18:36:20 GMT, "David McDermott"
wrote:

Thanks for the info! I don't think I will get rid of mr. snail unless I see
some baby snails. If it does reproduce I will at least have learned a
lesson! You would think the pet store guy would have warned me if this was
a real concern, although I suppose I would be foolish to rely on that.

Not all snails are able to reproduce without a partner, though at
least one common species can and does do this. I don't see why you are
worried about having more than one snail in your tank. Especially if
there is plenty of algae to eat. When your algae has been removed by
your snail(s), it will come right back if you remove the snails
because you've done nothing to prevent the regrowth of the algae.
Which is OK if you have active snails or algae eating fish to keep up
with the supply.

We aquarists have a tendency to enjoy beating up on pet shop workers,
when something goes wrong we like to blame someone for not warning us
ahead of time. As fishkeepers, we have a responsibility to learn all
we can about our pets, and with the internet available to almost
everyone, there is no excuse for not looking up information on every
living creature we add to our tanks.

I think I will declare this to be "Be Kind To Pet Shop Guys" week.
Until, of course, the next one ****es me off.

For Killfile FAQs visit
http://www.hyphenologist.co.uk/killfile/killfilefaq.htm

ROTFLOL

MEAlston wrote:
ROTFLOL


Is this an emotional response to a snail problem???