Getting rid of Small (unwanted) snails without killing my RC crabs.

[adi-66]

Hey Peeps,

I made the mistake of purchasing a plant for my tank from a local large chain pet store, and soon after i placed it in the tank, i noticed a couple of small snails around the tank ! I removed them, and squased them between my fingers, and disposed of them.

That small number has now multiplied 10 fold, so much so that when i last cleaned my tank the bottom of the bucket i fill with the drained water was covered in them (about 9 inches diameter)

The guys at my LFS really do not have a clue about getting rid of the snails without killing of my 2 much loved Red Claw Crabs.

Traditional snail remedies, available at the LFS only stun the snails until thay can ve hoovered up.... but the solution, which contains copper, will also kill my crabs :-(

Any suggestions, as the snails are starting to get on my nerves....

Thanks,

ADI-66

[DaisyTattoo]

Feed less. If the snails have nothing to eat, their numbers will dwindle. Or... you can put a piece of zucchini in the tank overnight and remove any attached snails.

[joephys]

The snails aren't bad, they are actually helping to things a bit cleaner. If they are in plague proportions like you say, then that means you are feeding way to much.

Other than that, the only way to get rid of them is manual removal.

[wesleydnunder]

A small saucer placed on the bottom with some lettuce or other veggie on it just before lights out will have snails all over it in the morning. Remove and discard veggie and snails. Repeat as necessary.

Mark

[Trixie]

Well, most of us that have live plants in their tanks have sort of made peace with these snails. They do some helpful things like eat up the excess food, dying plant matter and some algae in your tank. Some snails. like Malaysian Trumpet snails, will aerate your substrate, too.
I think that any sort of "snail rid" chemical that you might add to your tank will have both good and bad effects. I personally would not like to risk it.
Most people find that overfeeding will encourage these snails to proliferate.

And the lettuce idea is great, but I feel that a fish food wafer works even better.

[adi-66]

Surly i cant be overfeeding, i only feed a small pinch of food to the fish & crabs once a day !

ive gor a 30 litre tank, with:

2 Red Claw Crabs.
1 Sailfin Mollie
4 Rummy nosed tetras
1 large-ish peice of bog wood

1 small pinch each evening cant be too much can it ?

[Trixie]

Well then, try the lettuce or wafer trick and manually remove them. Snails are tough critters.

[joephys]

A small pinch is relative

I would be feeding that tank about 8 flakes a day, depending on the size of the molly

The rummy nose only need about one flake per day, and the molly if small, about 2, or if full grown, about six.