Types of Aquarium Snails: Taking the good with the bad

I think you often overlook snails, but they are fascinating creatures that can benefit your tank in many ways.

You may say: I don’t want to deal with a snail invasion in their aquarium. You’re right. This is the biggest nightmare of every fishkeeper.

It seems inevitable, in some way or another, to introduce snails into one or more of your aquariums.

It’s easy to make a mistake. Any plant or decoration from an external source might contain snails themselves or, more commonly, their eggs.

These things happen to both beginners and more experienced hands alike.

Snails, in and of themselves, aren’t dreadful creatures. It’s only when they reach plague-like proportions that they become an eyesore or, worse, disrupt the balance in your aquarium.

That being said, even these aquarium pest snails can be useful if you know how to work with them. With proper management, they can be highly desirable additions to many aquariums.

While these invertebrates are typically classified as pests, some of them can play a crucial role in aquarium.

But don’t worry. I’m here to guide you through the world of aquarium snails and show you the good, the bad, and the not-so-nice ones.

Good vs. Bad Aquarium Snails

Let’s talk about the different types of snails you might find in your aquarium.

Some snails are really helpful and do a great job cleaning up by eating algae and leftovers.

We call these the “Good Snails.” They include Zebra Nerite, Tiger Nerite, Horned Nerite, Mystery, Japanese Trapdoor, Rabbit, and Black Devil snails.

But then there are the troublemakers, the “Bad Snails.” These guys reproduce super fast and can quickly take over your tank.

They’re like those guests who overstay their welcome. The troublemakers include Bladder, Malaysian Trumpet, Apple, Ramshorn, and Pond snails.

Remember, while some snails are awesome helpers, others can cause big problems if you’re not careful!

Best Types Of Aquarium Snails

Mystery Snails (Pomacea bridgesii)

These snails, with their varied shell colors, add a touch of quirkiness to your aquatic space.

While they don’t excel at eating algae, they’re fantastic at cleaning up uneaten fish food, leaving your tank spotless.

They might lay eggs, but it’s easy to spot and remove these bright pink clusters above the waterline.

Zebra Nerite Snails (Neritina natalensis)

If I were to pick the MVPs of the snail world, it’d be these fellas.

Zebra Nerites don’t just clean; they do it with style!

With their dark brown and gold stripes, they’re like the fancy-dressed cleaners in your tank.

What’s more, they’re masters at consuming algae without bothering live plants. =

And here’s the best part: they don’t overpopulate your freshwater haven.

Tiger Nerite Snails (Vittina Semiconica)

Tiger Nerites, with their stunning sunset orange base and dark brown spots, are the adrenaline junkies of the snail.

They fearlessly explore every nook and cranny, even venturing into filter intakes.

They might need a snug lid to contain their adventurous spirits!

Horned Nerite Snails (Clithon corona/diadema)

Horned Nerites sport a unique shell design with, you guessed it, adorable “horns.”

They come in various colors, but the yellow and black spiral pattern ones are a real showstopper.

They’re like the trendsetters in your tank, making a style statement with their sleek appearance.

Rabbit Snails (Tylomelania sp.)

Rabbit Snails are the gardeners of the aquatic world.

They love digging in the substrate, aerating it in the process.

They’ll devour algae and fish waste but might have a special liking for Java fern.

Careful, though, they breed slowly, but baby snails could still make a surprise appearance!

Black Devil Snails (Faunus ater)

Black Devil Snails, with their glossy black shells resembling obsidian, are the mysterious ones.

They might nibble on delicate plants, but their intriguing appearance adds a touch of enigma to your tank.

Japanese Trapdoor Snails (Cipangopaludina japonica)

Imagine having a butler for your aquarium – that’s the Japanese Trapdoor Snail for you.

They’re large, voracious eaters, and their twisted conical shell adds an air of grandeur to your tank.

They’ll handle algae and detritus with finesse, leaving live plants untouched.

The Role of Snails in Maintaining a Healthy Fishtank

In simple terms, snails in an aquarium aren’t just there by chance.

They help keep the tank clean and attractive.

People who have fish tanks can use these snails to make their aquarium healthier and more beautiful.

Natural Cleaners

Snails are nature’s cleanup crew.

They feed on algae, detritus, and decomposing plant matter, which helps keep the tank clean and free from potential ammonia spikes.

They are particularly effective against algae, working diligently to keep tank walls, decorations, and plant leaves clean.

Diverse Species for Different Needs

Different snail species serve different purposes.

Nerite snails are praised for their unparalleled algae-eating abilities and inability to breed in freshwater, preventing overpopulation.

Meanwhile, Assassin snails are a natural choice for controlling pest snail outbreaks, as they hunt and feed on other snails.

Aesthetic

Beyond their utility, snails add to the aesthetic diversity of an aquarium.

With their various shapes, sizes, and colors, they can be a delightful visual addition.

They also interact with the environment in unique ways. Some burrow in the substrate, aiding in aeration, while others may prefer to graze on the glass, offering a view of their intriguing underside.

Pest Snails In Aquariums

Bladder Snails

Imagine tiny brown snails that can fit on your fingertip – those are bladder snails.

They’re like the speedy Gonzales of snails, making babies faster than rabbits! They multiply super fast and make your tank dirty.

One sneaky snail can start a whole snail party in your tank, making the water all messy and smelly.

The problem? They’re kind of stubborn guests.

They sneak into your filter and create chaos. But hey, at least they don’t wreck your plants.

Apple Snails

Picture snails in bright colors like blue and yellow – those are apple snails.

They’re like the superstar moms of the snail world, laying tons of eggs at once.

And get this, the lady snails don’t need a guy around to make baby snails!

These snails can cause chaos not just in your tank but also out in the wild.

They lay heaps of eggs and can take over the place real quick.

Malaysian Trumpet Snails

Ever seen a snail with a shell that looks like a unicorn horn? That’s the Malaysian trumpet snail.

These little fellas are tough cookies.

They survive without food for ages and can handle stuff like bleach (yikes!).

Once they move into your tank, they’re like permanent tenants – almost impossible to kick out.

Even other snail-eating fish don’t like them!

They’re indestructible and make more snails than you can count.

Ramshorn Snails

At first glance, ramshorn snails seem harmless, coming in various colors.

They’re like the friendly helpers that eat up waste, but they have a naughty side.

If you’re not careful, they’ll start chomping on your lovely plants and take over your tank.

They reproduce fast and love snacking on plants.

Pond Snails

These snails have pointy shells and grow big really fast.

They’re like the bottomless eaters at an all-you-can-eat buffet, finishing up all the food (and then some) and making a huge mess.

When they run out of algae, they become plant munchers, turning your tank into a salad bar.

They produce a lot of waste and can ruin your plants in no time.

Prevention and solutions

As mentioned earlier, snails won’t bother anyone until they start multiplying by the hundreds in every square centimeter of your tank.

Such an escalation in numbers can be more problematic than just aesthetics.

They might significantly contribute to the tank’s biological load.

Some species can pose a threat to softer-leaved plants, and snails can deplete water of significant mineral quantities.

All this could negatively impact other tank inhabitants, so preventing the problem in the first place is the best approach.

Primarily, snails feed on excess food. The resources required for their growth and reproduction need to come from somewhere, and most times, you have control over it.

In most cases, the issue might stem from overfeeding.

Remember to observe how you feed your fish. Leftover or ignored food might end up in tight spaces accessible only to snails.

Another food source for them is the excessive growth of algae. This, too, is caused by excess—primarily an abundance of nutrients and light.

Nutrients like ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates can be reduced with proper filtration and a well-planned water change schedule. Lighting can be adjusted accordingly to more suitable hours.

Controlling snail resource consumption can itself be a general control method. When resources are scarce, the population won’t sustain such high numbers.

Thus, other methods of removing snails, like baited traps, become much more effective as snails eagerly devour the bait when no other food sources are available.

Baited traps left overnight are a relatively simple method that requires little time and effort. A piece of sunken food, like a vegetable scrap, will attract snails.

You can remove this piece early in the morning, along with the inevitably attached cluster of snails.

Repeat this method for several consecutive nights to significantly reduce the catch; however, keep in mind there’s no guarantee that all snails will be caught this way.

This method also doesn’t affect snail egg clusters that might be hidden in the aquarium.

Some fish and invertebrates are known snail-eaters and can do a great job, removing most, if not all, snails from your aquarium.

Caution is advised here: not all snail-eating species are suitable for community tanks, and some might grow to quite large sizes.

For example, many loach species consume snails, but some grow quite large and won’t fit well in smaller tanks.

For these reasons, it’s recommended to explore other options before deciding on snail killers.

In conclusion

Snails aren’t for everyone, but they’ve earned their place in the aquarium world.

Whether you’re trying to build an effective cleanup crew or eradicate a plague of snails in your tanks, there are snails ready to work in the hobby.

I hope my rundown on these snails has opened doors to some ideas on how snails can contribute to the health and beauty of your tank.