Killies and natural snails' predators.

[gary35111]

Hi guys. My planted tank has quite a few snails. I was thinking if there is any natural snails' predators out there which I can buy to combat the growing number of snails in my tank.

I have orange australe killies, ottos, corydoras and cherry shrimps in my planted tank. If there are any natural snails' predators which I can buy and add to my aquarium, I need to know if they are compatible with my fishes and cherry shrimps.

Anyone has any idea?

Gary.

[PohSan]

As far as I know, only pufferfish eat snails. But they will starts to attack shrimps and small fishes (even bigger slow moving fish) once there is no more snail.

Regards,
Ong Poh San

[keehoe]

I think big Apple snail will eat smaller snail. But it will also eat away all your plant. So move your plants to else where before you do it.

[Piscesgirl]

Reduce your feeding. Most snails only get out of control if you feed too much. Most fish that will eat snails will also eat shrimp and I don't suggest it. You can also use a clean plastic cup and put food in it, and lift them out manually.

[gary35111]

I did some searching on-line and one web-site says that dwarf loaches eat snail. Are such loaches a threat to my killies and cherry shrimps?

Gary.

[keehoe]

Those who eat snail will find shrimp more delicious. You try check online whether apple snail really eat other snail. If it does, C328 sell each for 50cents. Pick a smaller one so that it doesn't lay egg and multiply.

[TyroneGenade]

Fish that eat snails (IME):
kribs
loaches
barbs (golden, rosy ... maybe even cherry and checkered)

Even your australe will have a go at the cherry shrimps so I don't fancy your odds on finding a shrimp-safe snail eater.

tt

[amber2461]

I have my dwarf puffers with my ghost shirimps and cherry shrimps. They do well together. The DP leave the shrimps alone and just go for the each other or the snails.

The can't seem to stop fighting though ... hehehehehe ... but only when they happen to set their eyes on the same snails.

[nonamethefish]

I managed to teach my blue gularis to eat crushed snails. Perhaps your australe could catch on too.

[hwchoy]

my favourite snail killer, Acantopsis choirorhynchos, unintrusive, doesn't bother other fish and shrimps

[felixe]

Even some kind of small leech can handle the snails.

http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~glosspho...ssiphonia.html
http://www.niast.go.kr/environment/HTML/22DB/7-39.asp

Interestingly, they couldn't harm the fish, as they said...