Snails

**jt1** · 10th Jan 2006, 23:14

Since we are on the topic of snails, I"ve been thinking of getting some zebra,bee or horned snails to complement my tank, maybe apple snails too. Any idea if they multiply as fast as Trumpet snails? Those Malayan trumpet snails are A REAL NUISANCE in my tank.

p.s. went to NA today, saw them except Apple snail there

**|squee|** · 10th Jan 2006, 23:26

jt1, I moved your thread to a new topic.

**Justikanz** · 11th Jan 2006, 11:04

These snails are not easily bred by aquarists... Horned snails and like lay eggs frequently but their fry (dunno what appropriate terms to use) will not survive as they need brackish water, kinda like Yamato shrimps... So, you dun have to worry about their population bloom...

So far, I had yet to see my Zebras' eggs... And I have difficulty keeping Apples alive... So, cannot comment on them...

Thus, generally, I would say these are snails you won't see multiplying in your tank...

Heck, if they do, you can start selling them!

**benny** · 11th Jan 2006, 18:34

Somehow, I've never been successful with snails. They shell then to get soft and wrinkled. Perhaps a lack of calcium.

Cheers,

**valice** · 11th Jan 2006, 18:42

But the water in the west is generally harder I thought?
My tank always have the carbonate (hmmm.... means from carbon? Calcium also possible right?) stains when the water level drops...

**jt1** · 11th Jan 2006, 20:48

Ok and thanks. Sorry for posting in the wrong section.

**benny** · 11th Jan 2006, 21:16

Actually, how many types of snails are there on sale in the shops nowadays?

I know ramshorn and malaysian trumpet snails are free. But what about the others?

Cheers,

**Justikanz** · 11th Jan 2006, 22:24

Benny, not all ramshorns are free... The red ones are about S$1 a piece...

These are what I know...

Snails commonly seen as pests:
Malayan Trumpet Snails
Pouch Snails
Normal Ramshorn Snails

Snails for sale:
Red Ramshorn Snails
Black Horned Snails
Zebra Snails
Apple Snails
Bat Snails
Striped Nerite Snails (and some are also horned)

Now there are some snails whose shells are tapered and have zebra stripes... Think also a form of nerite... IMO, Nerite-type snails are good spot/green/brown algae eaters... You literally see them munching through the algae and see the algae clear up in days!

**valice** · 12th Jan 2006, 00:42

What the yellow and black snails with 2-3 horns found at C328?
Are they the Striped Nerite Snails you referring to?

**benny** · 12th Jan 2006, 00:45

Old picture. Just for fun...

See the shell showing calcium deficiency..

Cheers,

**Justikanz** · 12th Jan 2006, 00:46

Yup... Some of them spot horns while some don't... Not sure whether they are of the same species though...

**valice** · 12th Jan 2006, 00:58

Hmm... Your snail (or old snail) looks like mine... Guess my tank has calcium deficiency too!
Guess those stains are carbonate stains and not calcium...

**Justikanz** · 12th Jan 2006, 01:02

That's a normal ramshorn...

Last time I also have those white stuff on their shells... Do you think fertilizing our plants can add enough calcium to the water for them to use?

**grey_fox** · 13th Jan 2006, 15:41

Sorry to intrude but I am living in the east, any shops selling snails there? My tank starting to get some brownish-reddish looking algae. (wonder if it is algae or dirt...)

Also at times when I purchase plants, I see some snails on it but dare not place it into my tank as I don't want them to end up muching on leaves instead...

Seeking advise