Cleaners

[Edwin1987]

Hi all, I'm currently keeping betta macrostoma with a sponge filter, as they are all feeding on pellets, sometimes they just miss a few of the pellets. I've tried using ghost shrimps to clear the left overs but they usually end up in the stomach. Any suggestions?

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[Urban Aquaria]

Can try snails... either ramshorn or trumpet could work, the bettas shouldn't bother them.

Note that if there is constantly excess food in the tank, the snail population will grow very quickly.

[Edwin1987]

Thanks, that's my main concern, that the snails will over populate, that's why I'm not sure whether to use them or not, because from my understanding, snails are able to reproduce on its own?

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[Urban Aquaria]

Yeah, those snails can reproduce quickly, but if their population really become too large, you can just remove them manually.

Rapid snail breeding is usually a sign of overfeeding, so it a good indicator to cut down feeding at the same time too.

[Edwin1987]

Ok, thanks for the advice. Will consider it.

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[stormhawk]

If you want a snail capable to staying alive and not reproducing quickly in your Betta tank, try Apple Snails. They are usually too large for Betta to swallow and will not reproduce too quickly. Since they lay their eggs above the water line, you can easily remove unwanted eggs as they will be in a large bunch deposited on an exposed leaf or glass ledge.

[Whitechicks7]

U can try snails or oto...
Even a small pleco will clear uneaten food

[Edwin1987]

Ok, thanks all bros, will probably be getting a snail to assist me, cos seeing the pellets untouched, then become mouldy, very uncomfortable.. Haha

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[Rutilans]

Hi bro Edwin nice to see u here.
cories better as U know I keep cories with my macs ad they usually don't bother the cories unless u put In hastatus or pygaemus .pardon me if I spelled wrongly.

[Edwin1987]

My concern with cories is that they will dart here and there.. Disturbing the fishes, so most probably gonna go for snails, apple snails..

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[Urban Aquaria]

Ok, thanks all bros, will probably be getting a snail to assist me, cos seeing the pellets untouched, then become mouldy, very uncomfortable.. Haha

Maybe you can try feeding the fishes small amounts at a time and wait until they actually eat the pellets before feeding more... letting pellets sit in the tank untouched and turn moldy would be a definite indication to feed less.

For tank cleaners, perhaps you could try amano/yamato shrimps? They are alot larger than the other dwarf shrimps and can usually grow up to around 5-6cm in size (just choose the largest ones from the LFS), at that size they would be too big for the bettas to swallow whole... though they might still get harassed by the bettas. Could be worth just buying 2-3 and see if they are compatible. If they are okay with the bettas, then you'll have good scavengers and algae eaters all rolled into one.

[Edwin1987]

Haha, I saw a ghost shrimp head before.. Maybe try a few.. Thank you!!

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[Edwin1987]

Just bought some yamato shrimps, gonna see what they can do.. Hahaha, thanks all for your advice..

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[Emokidz]

Yamato shrimp with macrostoma? My guess is that they will be eaten up quickly. I'd strongly recommend apple snails.

[Edwin1987]

Ya, only those in the albi tanks and juvenile tanks are alive.. The rest are used as expensive feeds.. Hahaha.. Probably will go as you suggested, snails.. Thank you!!

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[stormhawk]

One thing you need to take note of when using these snails. In an acidic environment their shells will erode quickly, so rotate your snails as and when necessary. Make sure you have a separate holding tank with less acidic water, best would be above pH 7, say 7.2-7.5. Feed your snails with high quality invert food like the Hikari Crab Cuisine so that they get an adequate intake of calcium. Otherwise your snails will probably die. You only really need 1 Apple Snail per tank, or 2 for a 2 ft tank. These critters are voracious scavengers.

[Edwin1987]

Shrimps definitely not suitable.. My juvenile tore the shrimp into pieces.. The apple snails are big enough to be spotted easily? My concern to swapping them is that I can't find them..

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[stormhawk]

Apple Snails are large snails, not small and they are easily identified. This link is to a picture of a very large Pomacea canaliculata:

http://www.fao.org/docrep/006/y5098e/y5098e0m.jpg

And another of a random Apple Snail with a coke can:

http://www.patfullerton.com/fishman/...terysnail2.jpg

They are generally the size of ping pong balls, but when sold at the shops are usually around 20 to 50 cent coin sizes. You just need 1 big adult snail per tank, so keep a separate tank for just the snails and keep 2 or 3 adults in there.

[dabaixiang]

Anyone know where to get these apple snails?

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[Emokidz]

C328 normally has them.