If you’ve ever had the pleasure of owning a fish tank, you might be well aware of the tiny, slimy troublemakers known as pest snails.
These sneaky creatures can quickly overrun your aquarium, turning it into a snail haven.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the ins and outs of how to get rid of snails in an aquarium.
I’ll explore where these pesky pests come from, what fuels their population explosions, and most importantly, how to control and eliminate them for good.
So let’s dive right in!
Where do pest snails come from?
The invasion often begins innocently enough. You’re admiring your underwater paradise when suddenly, you spot a tiny snail making its way across the glass.
Where did it come from? These uninvited guests, known as pest snails, usually hitchhike their way into your aquarium through various means.
Snails and snail eggs frequently tag along on the stems and leaves of live plants. No matter how careful the folks at the greenhouse are, the forces of Mother Nature have a way of introducing these little stowaways.
Algae, snails, and even damselfly larvae can find their way into your tank through live plants.
Sometimes, snail eggs can hitch a ride with the new fish you bring home from the pet store, especially if any bits of substrate or plant material come along.
In a nutshell, these sneaky snails come from a variety of sources, and understanding their origin is the first step in controlling the infestation.
What causes snail population explosions?
When you suddenly find your tank teeming with snails, it’s a clear sign that something’s amiss. For snails to multiply like crazy, they need a food source.
The two primary culprits behind snail population explosions are algae and uneaten fish food.
If your aquarium is overloaded with nutrients, these opportunistic snails will seize the chance to thrive. Overfeeding your fish is one of the major causes of aquarium problems, including pest snails.
Uneaten food or excessive waste from overfeeding provides a perfect buffet for these slimy intruders.
Remember, a fish’s stomach is only about the size of their eye, so they don’t need much food.
To tackle snail population explosions, we need to address these food sources and bring your tank back into balance.
How to get rid of snails in an aquarium?
Stop Overfeeding
One of the first steps to snail eradication is to stop overfeeding your fish. Ensure that you provide portions that your fish can consume within 30-60 seconds.
Slow eaters like Bettas can have a little more time, but the goal is to ensure all the food gets eaten, leaving nothing behind.
Overfeeding leads to food sinking into the substrate and rotting, creating a feast for unwanted critters like snails and detritus worms.
Feed your fish slowly, so they have time to reach the food before it sinks, or simply feed less overall. Promptly remove any uneaten food from the tank.
Control Algae
As we discussed earlier, algae is a significant food source for pest snails. It’s possible that you might not even realize the extent of your algae problem because these snails are busy devouring it daily.
To control algae, the key is to control the light. Bright light over water with almost no nutrients can still fuel algae growth, while nutrient-rich water under dim light discourages algae growth.
Invest in a timer for your lights to regulate the number of hours they’re on, and consider adding a dimmer to reduce their intensity.
Algae control is a long-term strategy that helps eliminate snails and prevents their return.
Add snail predators to your tank
If you want a hands-on approach to reducing snail numbers, consider adding snail-eating livestock to your aquarium. These creatures will feast on the current snails and pick off any future ones that hatch.
One excellent choice is zebra loaches. These beautiful fish, at about 4 inches in length, are voracious snail eaters.
They make a charming addition to your tank and are effective snail hunters.
Just keep in mind that they’ll even go after big mystery or nerite snails if you have them.
Pufferfish are also great for snail control, but they should be the sole inhabitants of the tank, as they can be aggressive toward other fish.
Assassin snails are another option, and a few of them can easily wipe out an infestation in a moderate-sized tank.
Remember to provide them with meaty foods like bloodworms or sinking shrimp pellets once the pest snails are gone.
Place snail traps in the tank
If you’re not keen on bringing in a predator to deal with snails in your aquarium, there’s a straightforward alternative.
Trapping snails is a short-term strategy to help reduce the snail population while you address the underlying issues.
You can easily craft a rudimentary snail trap using a 20-ounce water bottle, or you can purchase ready-made traps available for sale. Be sure to use some bait to attract the snails, with blanched zucchini being a recommended favorite. Remember, snails love it, but many fish might ignore it.
You can also use a plate or bowl and put a slice of cucumber or some blanched lettuce on it.
It turns out snails have a real love for cucumber slices. Drop in a few thick slices, and you’ll see around 90% of them on the cucumber within a couple of hours. Then, just lift them out – much easier than scraping them off the glass.
Another trick is to place a big piece of lettuce on the water’s surface. All the snails will gather on it. After about 10-12 hours, remove the lettuce along with the snacking snails.
If you leave it overnight, you can simply discard the lettuce that’s now full of snails.
If you want to deal with them humanely, you can use clove oil to put them to sleep and then freeze them, or you can choose to squash them.
But do not flush them or release them where they might end up in the water again.
Use a chemical to kill the snails
Although it’s not my first choice, you can opt for chemical treatments to quickly get rid of a snail infestation.
However, this method comes with several drawbacks. Chemical treatments that kill snails will also eliminate all other invertebrates in the tank, including shrimp, if you have them.
The copper found in snail killers can harm your aquarium plants and linger in the tank, even after thorough cleanings, making it unsuitable for copper-sensitive organisms.
If you go for this approach, be prepared to deal with the aftermath, as dead snails can produce ammonia that can harm your fish.
Moreover, chemical treatments are a short-term solution, and the root causes of the snail infestation will still exist. These causes often include overfeeding or poor algae control, so keep that in mind before going down this path.
Connecting with the aquarium community
Here’s a fantastic alternative to simply getting rid of those extra snails or introducing pea puffers to your tank – why not collect them and offer them on classifieds to people who already have snail-eating fish?
Chances are, you’ll find plenty of folks eager to take those snails off your hands for their hungry fish. It’s a win-win solution that helps both your snails and other aquarium enthusiasts.
Preventing a Snail Problem
Now that we’ve covered various methods to combat snail infestations, let’s shift our focus to preventing a snail problem in the first place.
Inspect live plants entering the tank
Before introducing live plants into your tank, it’s crucial to inspect them carefully. Look for any signs of snails or their eggs.
You can gently remove any unwanted snails or egg clusters before they become a problem.
Quarantine live plants before placing into your tank
To further safeguard your aquarium, consider quarantining live plants in a separate tank or container for a couple of weeks.
This period allows you to monitor and eliminate any potential snail hitchhikers before adding the plants to your main tank.
Rinse decor and substrate
Any new aquarium decorations or substrate should be thoroughly rinsed and cleaned before adding them to your tank.
This reduces the risk of introducing snail eggs or small snails into your aquarium. Dip all aquarium additions in a bleach solution.
However, be cautious and thorough when using bleach, as it can harm your fish and plants if not properly managed.
Practice proper tank maintenance
Regularly clean your tank, perform water changes, and maintain optimal water parameters. A clean and well-maintained aquarium is less likely to attract snails.
In conclusion
Dealing with a snail infestation in your fish tank can be quite the challenge. Many pest snail species can reproduce without a mate, making it easy for just one snail to turn into an army of them.
However, it’s essential to remember that the snail population can’t explode without a food source, typically a combination of algae and uneaten fish food.
Combining a long-term plan with a short-term strategy is your best bet for clearing your tank of snails more efficiently. Trapping or adding snail predators are preferred options over chemical treatments, as introducing toxins to your aquariums can lead to unforeseen consequences.
I hope you’ve found this guide helpful in your quest to maintain a snail-free aquarium.
Remember, a bit of diligence and the right strategies can help you keep your fish tank a thriving and snail-free underwater paradise. Happy fishkeeping!
