FishProfiles.com Message Forums

My friend loves red ramshorn snails, and she wanted to set up a little tank for them.

Do they nead a heater, filter, light????

She does not have any fish, and i have...2 weeks experience (with fish in the tank, i cycled first)

So, i thought i would ask you guys (praise the fishy people )

Any info. would be great, thankyou BNF

filter and light definitely yes. depending on how cold her house is she might be able to get away with no heater, but it's still a good idea to keep one for them.

---

"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

Well, her house is warm enough for her hamster, who has to be kept between 18-25C.

What size tank is the minimum for say, 5 snails?

BNF

if you're talking about the variety of apple snail that is called ramshorn sometimes, then i would say about 15-20g for 5 of them. if you're talking about the tiny pest snails, they can live in any size tank and you will have 100 of them in no time at all

---

"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

Talking about the red ramshorns
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Planorbis_Ramshorn.php
I know what you mean about pest snails, i had to take them out of my tank, and ended up with 20 in a jam jar
They are my brothers now.
15-20gals, how about for a pair, couldn't you get a couple in a 5 gal?

These guys aren't exactly a pest but aren't the ramshorn applesnail(marisas). They are actually considered quite desirable by some people for algae control and color. Along with not eating plants but like other planorbids they will multiply quite quickly. That's why they can be considered a pest by those that don't like bright red snails everywhere but many hunt these guys down to add to their planted tanks. Start with just 1 and provided you don't have snail eating fish or alot of predators after their eggs you'll soon have whatever size tank filled. At less than 1" they'd fit in just about any tank you want so long as you watched how much you fed them or occasionally pulled some out. Otherwise they could multiply to the point water quality becomes a problem in a small tank.

If they are the only thing in the tank I dont see why they wouldnt fit in a 5g. I don't think anyone would buy a 20g just to put 5 snails in it....

Inky

Okay, so could you come up with a list of everything you need for a 1/2/5 gallon, and everything you would need???
Could you please also include the prices (£) because i don't know how much tanks are (mine was given to me by my dad's fishy friend) sorry for asking so many questions

BNF

You could probubly get a nice kit that includes heater, filter, air pump, ect. Im not sure how much they run for over here, but the general prices for them in Indiana are:

1gal -> $10 - $12
2.5gal -> $12-15
5gal mini bow -> $20-25

It also depends on where you buy them. I shop at really cheap places



Inky