Are Aquarium Snails Pets Or Pests?

By David Yearwood

Most fish keepers see snails as pests. You can't blame them as some really are. But on the other hand, some folks keep snails as pets. There are a variety of aquarium snails available. Typically, pet grade snails are available at your local pet shop. In some cases, little snails can be hidden in aquarium plants. Be careful when buying since some people get a big surprise after a couple of weeks when they find their aquarium infested.

There are quite a few kinds of snails to think about. Every type has different features and characteristics. Below are the common types and a brief description of each.

Ramshorn snail:

They're called such due to the ram like horns it has on its head. Their colours range from black, red and checkered patterns. They usually eat any kind of house plants and are notoriously prolific.

Trumpet snail:

These do not lay eggs like most snails. They are live-bearing. They normally feed on particles that are present in the substrate and seldom consume plants. These are advisable to get if you have a tank full of plants. These snails are nocturnal, which means that they are active at night. This type of snail has been known to keep the bottom of your aquarium free of debris.

Pond snail:

This type is pretty notorious as they have been observed to hide in aquarium plants. They are usually football-like in shape. Pond snails reproduce very fast and they have big appetites. They can easily wreak havoc on your aquarium plants.

Apple snail:

This one is a well-liked aquarium addition. The apple snail has four different species. They are known to consume aquarium plants. Be cautious when deciding to add this type to your tank. Under appropriate conditions, the apple snail can be an inhabitant of your tank for a long time. They can even grow the size of tennis balls.

Nearly all aquarium snails thrive well in community tanks. They consume algae and other debris that accumulates in the tanks. They can help a lot in keeping good water quality. However, some consume aquarium plants. Make certain that you know everything about them before you add them to your tank.

Aquarium snails are good companions to fishes such as Danios, Guppies, Neon Tetras and White Cloud Minnows. On the other hand if you discover unwelcome snails in your aquarium, you could add a Skink or Clown Loach as these fish consider snails as dinner.

Aquarium snails are a great addition to your tank. Make sure to consult your pet store attendant before buying as the compatibility of the fish and snails are crucial.

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