by Melanie Marten

Created on: February 16, 2010

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to snails in a fish tank. Most aquarium owners will not even notice the first snail to enter their waters. By the time they begin to notice small snails sliding over the glass and decorations, it may be too late to prevent a takeover. The tank owner is left with an unwanted population and the question, "Where do snails in a fish tank come from?" etched in their mind.

Some people, of course, purchase snails to live in their fish tank. They can help with algae control and are just fun to watch. If you do not get one of the types of snails that usually does not reproduce in the home aquarium, you will know where the snail explosion comes from. Apple snails and trumpet snails are popular, and can both be controlled rather easily. They are also among the most beneficial snails for a home fish tank. Apple snails eat algae and smaller snails, while trumpet varieties cruise through the substrate, consuming debris and oxygenating the gravel or sand.

Many have no intention of ever having a snail, but still get them in the tank. Snails are hitchhikers. If you purchased aquarium plants, used decorations or rocks or even slow-moving fish you may get snail eggs in your tank. Once the snail eggs are there, they will hatch and then reproduce like mad until your tank is overrun.  The worst offenders are common pond snails and the rams-horn snail, which can be quite attractive until they blanket everything else in your fish tank.

Prevent snails from taking over your fish tank by carefully examining and washing all plants, ornaments and substrates before using them in your aquarium. Quarantine new fish and any live foods you purchased to feed your pets. Get fish that enjoy eating young snails, such as loaches and some types of gouramis.

If you are overrun with snails in a fish tank, getting rid of them can be an arduous task. Manual removal will be necessary. Scrape them off your glass and ornaments as well as possible and dispose of them. Place a cup with a piece of cucumber or lettuce in the bottom of the tank. The snails will swarm in and you can remove them more easily. Both of these methods will have to be repeated continuously until snails are gone or reduced to manageable numbers.

As stated in the beginning, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Answering the question, "Where do snails in a fish tank come from?" usually points directly at the aquarium owner. Avoid introducing snails to your tank in the first place to save lots of headaches.

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