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Okay, I had 3 MTS and maybe 5 pond snails to start about two months ago. I now have a multitude of pond snails, which I feed as a snack to my Yo-Yo's and other fish. I don't see any new MTS. How often do they (MTS)bear? I know they (MTS)are live bearers and pond snails lay eggs. I see pond snail eggs but I have no idea how to spot a baby MTS. Do they look the same as pond snails when they are babies? I don't see any miniature MTS in the tank. In fact, I rarely see the adult MTS. I finally saw one (MTS) today for the first time in about 2-3 weeks.

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}

You often don't see MTS because they mostly live under the substrate, but usually come out at night, when it's dark. Sometime take a look in your tank with a flashlight (NEVER turn the tank lights on suddenly! - fish can actually die from shock when they go from darkness to daylight conditions) and see what you can see.

Baby MTS look just like tiny versions of the adult MTS.

><>

Hi,
Generally speaking you will rarely see the MTS during the
time the tank lights are on. Occasionally you will see
a "few," but if you see allot of them that is a sign of
problems. Seeing a bunch of them during the time the tank
lights are on indicates that the tank is "polluted" by over
feeding or that the water conditions are foul.
It can also indicate that the tank gravel has
packed and has not been vacuumed in a while.

Many Snails, as a rule tend not over populate, but
rather reproduce according to the available food.
If you are seeing a bunch then cut back on feeding,
and increase cleaning, including gravel vacuuming,
trimming and removing dead or dieing leaves, and
removing any solid waste from the fish.

Here are some interesting sites discussing the MTS:
In the order of, description, then benefits, then
how to remove them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-rimmed_melania

http://www.yamatogreen.com/MalaysianTrumpetSnails.htm

http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.200301/msg00462.html

Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Actually, I posed the question because I would like to be sure my population is growing. I have no problem with having any snails. I am actually allowing the pond snails to multiply. They are a great protein snack for the other tank. { yummy, yummy says the Yo-yo's and Barbs.} The funny thing is watching them in the morning. I get to the tank and turn on the light. You then see about 15-20 pond snails scream "RUN" and try to slide down the glass! It takes them about 10 minutes. It's so funny. Then you see them say "Ah screw it" and go right back up the glass.

I don't just want to confuse a baby MTS with a baby pond snail.

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}

Curious question just popped up! Can MTS and pond snails cross breed?

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}

No they can't. They're pretty distantly related, as snails go. I have both in my tanks. No cross-breeding yet :-P

><>

Hi,
As was mentioned in one of the first two links, your
chances of confusing the babies of the two types is really
pretty slim. The baby MTS are tiny versions of the parents
with the pointed shell and whorls.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Okay now I'm confused. All the baby snails I see on the glass, has a large rounded base, but ity, bity, pointy, whorly ends. I don't know if I can get a pic of something so small but I will give it a try later today.

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}

most of the ones on the glass are probably pond snail babies. MTS babies tend to stay in the gravel until they are large enough to handle predators. MTS stay hidden during the day but at night you may be able to see them. just take your time and wait it out, soon you'll have so many your heads going to spin! (PS pond snails are pesty i'd suggest throwing as many in to the yoyos as you can before the tank is overrun!)

PS I love MTS they are amazing and helpful little creatures!

\\\\\\\"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure\\\\\\\"