Bumblebee snails as algae eaters for a shrimp tank

**skysky** · 18th Jun 2007, 15:24

i recommend bumble bee snail. 1st class algae cleaner. Originally i got 2 oto in my 2 ft tank...they arent that effective. After i add in bumble bee snail wooo...they really clean my tank wall! They are even better then the ramhorn snails. Best of all, they looks nice and dont mass reproduce.

**mud** · 19th Jun 2007, 10:47

Sorry to ask, what is bumblebee snail. Do you have picture of them. And where to get them?

Thanks

**skysky** · 19th Jun 2007, 12:48

Bro mud. It has yellow and black colour strips on the shell. It also have spiky horns that kinda of look unique. You can google to look for its photos. worth getting it.

If you cant get the pic, let me know. will try to take some for you.

**niv** · 19th Jun 2007, 13:26

which LFS sells bumblebee snails and how much ah? if they're really useful for eating up algae don't mind getting a few

**mud** · 19th Jun 2007, 15:15

Hi Skysky. google about Bumble Bee Snail most came out saltwater . That is the confusion. Does it breed in your tank? Needed some snails to clean the tank wall. My yellow ramhorns feed on the surface of my plants.

**Quixotic** · 20th Jun 2007, 11:24

Precisely why we should try to avoid common names if possible. My guess is either one of these.

Clithon diadema
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=29946

Neritina natalensis
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=27853

They should be fairly common in our LFS these days. Ask around or start a "Where to find..." thread in Aquatalk.

**EvolutionZ** · 20th Jun 2007, 12:29

c328, y618 often carry the bumblebee snail.. or horn snail =)

**crystalreds** · 20th Jun 2007, 12:38

Is this the bumble bee snails you guys are referring to?

Doesn't state whether is salt or a fresh water speciment.... Here's what I found

Here's the source: http://www.petsolutions.com/Bumble+B...-I-C-3-C-.aspx

Bumble Bee Snails, Pusiostoma mendicaria, are colorful snails from island coastal areas in the Indo-Pacific region. The shell of the snail is black with a variable number of yellow stripes, very similar to the insect bumble bee's coloration. These tiny gastropods, who rarely grow more than 1" in length, are excellent for keeping the home aquarium clear of uneaten food, decaying matter, and various types of algae. These snails are commonly seen within sand substrates, crawling across Live Rock, and traveling the glass in their endless search for another meal.

Notes: The shell of this animal is constantly growing. The fleshy mantle deposits the calcium based construction material on a continual basis. Maintaining proper calcium levels of 350 to 450 ppm will assist the growth of this animal. If algae becomes unavailable in the aquarium, supplement this animals diet with dried seaweed.

**Quixotic** · 20th Jun 2007, 13:38

Uhm, no, that is the marine species, which couldn't possibly survive in freshwater conditions and definitely not what skysky is referring to.

It's either Clithon diadema or Neritina natalensis (or other nerites).

**kaym** · 20th Jun 2007, 19:09

skysky, which LFS did you get the bumble bee snail at? Thinking of getting some to clean the walls and get rid of hydra.

**Cherries Lover** · 29th Jun 2007, 23:04

Originally Posted by skysky

i recommend bumble bee snail. 1st class algae cleaner. Originally i got 2 oto in my 2 ft tank...they arent that effective. After i add in bumble bee snail wooo...they really clean my tank wall! They are even better then the ramhorn snails. Best of all, they looks nice and dont mass reproduce.

Hi bro,

Can advice where you get your Bumble Bee Snails?...

Alot of the bro's seem interested...

I also like to check them up.

Thanks alot..

**kaym** · 29th Jun 2007, 23:38

I got my bumblebee snails at Tropical Int'l in Pasir ris. But i believe i also saw some sold at NA. They make my HOB liberty filter look almost brand new after they have 'vacuumed' the area.

**niv** · 2nd Jul 2007, 13:47

yup, i also got mine from NA, but 1 of them died soon after. the other one is nicely crunching up the algae off the wall

**Quixotic** · 2nd Jul 2007, 14:28

Please kindly refrain from discussion of prices on the thread as some LFS may not appreciate it. If need to, please kindly discuss prices via PM. Thanks.

**Cherries Lover** · 2nd Jul 2007, 14:52

Originally Posted by niv

yup, i also got mine from NA, but 1 of them died soon after. the other one is nicely crunching up the algae off the wall

Sorry Bro,

Can advice where is NA?...

Thanks alot...

**nys** · 2nd Jul 2007, 16:40

NATURE AQUARIUM
Blk 1, Thomson Road, #01-340, Balestier Hill Shopping Centre, Singapore 300001

Directly opposite Thomson Medical Hospital

**yeoyl87** · 2nd Jul 2007, 18:29

what type of algae they eat? do they reproduce like nobody's business?

**skysky** · 7th Jul 2007, 23:29

brought from NA. They are adults when i brought them but didnt breed at all. i cant recall whether i did ask Mr Tan is marine or freshwater snails. anyway i had a few in all my 4 tanks- fresh water, for months already, still ok. very fond of them. but please choose the nice one when buying. Because the last time, i didnt pay attention when they dish out from the tank and ended with 2 ugly snails...more brown then yellow..so threw these 2 into my guppies tanks. looks like moving round DW haha