Not everyone thinks much of them, but snails are present in the aquarium usually no problem dar. They are even useful creaturesthat keep the aquarium clean and healthy. The only thing to avoid is excessive proliferation of snails.
First, every aquarium owner should determine why one plague of snails prevails in his aquarium in order to then remove it.
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snails quickly get into the aquarium, even if it’s not intentional. Therefore, it makes sense to curb their proliferation before the snail plague occurs. Above all in very small aquariums, snails can be problematicas there are few natural predators here.
But why can suddenly a large number of snails appear in the aquarium and multiply?
Why do snail plagues appear in the aquarium?
If snails are not intentionally introduced to the aquarium, they may already be able to on newly purchased aquarium plants been and got into the aquarium through them. The Snail eggs are very small and therefore difficult to identify. they sit often on plant leaves. It is hardly possible to keep snails away from the aquarium.
However, the animals only become a problem when the Snail population in the aquarium too large will and they multiply without control. Whether a snail plague develops depends not only on the snail species, but above all on the environment that is available to them.
Often an excessive number of snails indicates that the Contents of the aquarium imbalance located. If the snails find a lot of food, they multiply quickly.
Such a food offer for the snails is various causes owed. Lots of algae growth provides them with much more food than they need.
On the other hand, it happens that some aquarium owners are very generous towards their aquarium fish are. If the fish get more food than they can eatthis gives the snails an unhindered opportunity to spread.
What are the risks of having too many snails in the aquarium?
If the number of snails in the aquarium is excessive, it applies to take action against it. Even very peaceful species can live in a beautifully designed aquarium significant damage care for.
The larger the number of snails in the aquarium, the more contamination through excretions arise in the water.
These excretions and the snails can affect the other aquarium inhabitants.
If the available feed is no longer sufficient for the rapidly increasing number of snails, the animals eat the healthy aquarium plants.
Remove snails in the aquarium with these effective methods
A An aquarium that is completely free of snails can hardly be realized and does not make sense from an ecological point of view. Snails very often get into the tank with aquarium plants. New plants should therefore be checked for snails before they are placed in the aquarium. Partly is on plants too snail spawn recognizable.
That helps with that Rinse under warm water against the introduction of snail eggs into the aquarium. Often, however, the snail spawn is so tiny and hardly recognizable without optical magnification aids. If aquatic plants are generally watered with a bucket, the introduction of snail eggs can be reduced. Some snail eggs can too swim on the water. Water from fish or plant bags therefore does not belong in the aquarium. New fish bags are best left in the aquarium for a certain amount of time temperature compensation. The new fish are then gently lowered into the water using a net, without the entire contents of the bag ending up in the tank.
One rapid reproduction of snails usually only occurs when there is an abundance of food.
For this reason, the fish should only be given an amount of food that they eat in minutes can. Avoid feed that sinks to the bottom. Feeding twice a day is sufficient.
Method 1: Remove snails by hand
First is a removal of the snails by hand recommended. Of course, this is only possible with the visible copies.
Using a thin hose helps when changing the water, like a diaphragm pump. The areas with snail infestation are with a hose end sucked off. This method definitely eliminates a larger number of snails, especially when the mollusks are larger and their population is still relatively small. However, there may still be a number of snails on decorative items or on plant leaves that require more effort to remove.
Method 2: Snail fishing
A length of fishing line is attached to a thicker piece of cucumber. The best is one without pollutants and fertilizers. The piece of cucumber needs a weight so that it sinks to the ground. Here, for example, piercing with a helps metal spoon. The morning after the light shines in the pool is the best time for this action. In a short span of time will many snails go to the cucumber to eat. When the piece of cucumber has plenty of snails, use the piece of fishing line to pull it out and a lot of snails have been removed.
The cucumber piece shouldn’t stay in the tank too longotherwise the snails will have an excellent source of food again, which will reverse the effectiveness of this measure.
The process can be repeated after a few days so that the number of snails continues to decrease. The method works simply and without chemicals.
Method 3: snail trap without chemical additives
A snail trap without chemical additives can be bought in pet shops and will also help against a plague of snails. In a plastic box is one food tablet placed.
This box stands on the bottom of the aquarium. This snail trap is Equipped with a grid that lets snails in but not out again. The food tablet attracts numerous snails, which makes it possible to remove a larger number.
Method 4: Use of predatory snails
There are the predatory snail named Anentome Helena. It is a predator of many snail species. Since the unwanted animals usually get into the tank with aquatic plants and the eggs are small and difficult to see, they will spread quickly after they hatch.
With the predatory snail Anentome Helena but succeeds in counteracting proliferation. The predatory snail lies in wait to suck out the other snails with its proboscis. So can each individual predatory snail will eat up to four snails a weekuntil the population is back to a level that the aquarium inhabitants can tolerate.
There should be at least three or four predatory snails in the aquarium so that the animal feels comfortable. In aquariums with higher snail populations, more predatory snails make sense.
Do not release snails into nature
Collected snails belong not in nature, because otherwise they can also spread in the local waters and endanger them. Snails in the snail trap or on the cucumber slice are considered Food for puffer fish or turtles suitable.
Do not use any chemical agents due to animal and ecosystem protection
For snail removal chemical methods should be avoided, because this protects the ecosystem in the aquarium. These agents can also kill other aquarium inhabitants, especially invertebrates and shrimp. The snail corpses also ensure spoiled water.
Conclusion: This keeps the amount of snails within limits
No matter which snail control method is used, a one-time removal of these animals does not guarantee freedom from snails in the future. Therefore, the reason for the excess of snails must be found and eliminated.
The Tank conditions should be checked after snail removal. This includes dead plant remains or a large amount of uneaten food.
Tank care and fish feeding needed enough time. There should be very little food left, so it is better to feed smaller amounts of food before the fish eat it all.
With a conscientious aquarium maintenance and fish feeding there will be no snail invasion. This also prevents algae infestation.
With some species it makes sense to put up with the snails because they have their advantages.
Ramshorn snails often live in the tank without the knowledge of the aquarium owner. She particularly like to eat algae and dead plants.
Tower snails are very helpful because they like to eat scraps of food. Their behavior is also the quality of the aquarium water readable. If the tower snail stays near the aquarium panes, this could indicate that the oxygen content in the water is too low.
snails have a lot of appetite, so that they help to keep the amount of bacteria in the aquarium at a low level. They also clean the aquarium. They also loosen up the ground.