FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I've been thinking about adding a snail to my 42-gallon peaceful community tank (small tetras, mollies, and platies), but I never quite got around to researching them. Last night I saw a beautiful snail at my lfs and immediately decided that I must have him. They labeled him as a ramshorn.

After getting him home I started surfing the web for information about my new find. Imagine my dismay upon learning that my little snail was going to make a quick meal of my planted tank! Guess that is what I deserve for making an impulse purchase.

So now for my questions: Are there any live plants that my ramshorn snail will not eat? Should I keep plants in there and just replace them as he destroys them? or should I just resign myself to fake plants?



Last edited by zoeandmaia at 23-Jan-2005 10:38

Welcome to FP Zoe...

This is what I would do, I'd take the ramshorn back to the lfs, he/she/it is going to destroy your plants and you will soon become frustrated with trying to replace them every week or so...and real plants are a benefit that fake plants just won't be satisfactory ...

So tomorrow take the snail back. There is a type of snail that is great for the tank, and won't eat your plants. It is a Malaysian Trumpet Snail (MTS) I'm not sure where you can buy them though. They prove to be a great benefit to your tank, by helping break down fish by-products, the yuckies that can get on decorations, and glass, also by keeping your substrate loose, and well mixed.

I'm not sure where in the US you are located but if you want to PM me an address I could send you some. I seem to have plenty

Those are just my thoughts...Heidi

Oh here is a pick of an MTS:


Heidi attached this image:


"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

OK let me try that again It didn't seem to want to load...Heidi



Heidi attached this image:


"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

Hi, here is a great snail information site. Good luck

http://www.applesnail.net

After doing a lot of online research I decided that I'm not quite ready for snails. I love the way they look in the tank but I worry about my plants and I worry about mass reproduction. Since I'm new to this hobby I'd rather not complicate things. My ramshorn went back to the lfs today.

I really appreciate your advice and your offer Heidi. When I'm ready to get a snail I'll definately be looking for a MLS. Also thank you for the link Puddle Cat. I saved it in my favorites for future reference.

Peace.

ramshorn snails vs live plants

ramshorn snails win

you can get the malaysian trumpet snails, they won't harm your plants at all. heidi has linked a nice pic of what they look like. pretty much if they have that shaped shell, they will 99.999% for sure be the trumpet snails. they are very low maintenance snails, and they won't hurt your plants at all.

---

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

I made the exact same mistake. Thing is... I did do some research before I bought the ramshorn. I guess there are two different kinds though. There is a small kind, and then the kind that gets real big that is known as the "columbian" ramshorn. Glad I found out about its eating habits in time to nab the mess of eggs it had deposited under one of my swords in my tank and quarantine it from the plants it had already destroyed!!

Trumpet snails are not bad. They don't eat plants, reproduce at a slow rate but they still do infest your tank after a LONG period of time I got so many now that I have to pick them out with my fingers.

They reproduce at a really slow rate; not egg layers. Baby snails grow inside the parent's shell until they are big enough to let out. They always burrow into the gravel not a really interesting snail.
I can send some to u guys if u want

Gee

Gee

!!I think I just learned somthing new!!