They mainly feed on other snails or carrion. Unlike most freshwater snails that are herbivorous or omnivorous, assassin snails are carnivores. They like to spend their time buried in the substrate waiting for food and hiding from predators. They can grow to over one inch and have orange and brown stripes. Native to southeast Asia, assassin snails have become popular because they eat other snails they are an excellent natural method for eliminating other types of snails from your aquarium. Unlike most snails that lay eggs, rabbit snails give birth to live young. Rabbit snails are gonochoristic, meaning they need both males and females for reproduction. Rabbit snails eat algae, dead plants and fish food. They can grow up to four inches and live up to three years. Rabbit snails are a recent addition to the hobby. Always use a lid to prevent accidental escape. They cannot breathe while underwater and must come to the surface to survive. ![]() Ramhorn snails can only breathe air from the surface of the water. They do well in ponds but are known to eat plants when food is limited. Ramhorn snails are great at eating algae, leftover food and dead plants. One female is all you need to start a family, and their numbers can increase in no time. Their quick reproduction rate is due to their parthenogenetic breeding ability, which means the female can give birth to female offspring without mating with a male. To some, they are unwanted, invasive and annoying to others, they are a valuable cleaning crew or a food source for small snail-eating fish. Whether you consider the Malaysian trump snail a pet or pest depends on what type of tank you have. Luckily, they don’t tend to eat plants and will consume decaying leaf matter to keep the tank clean. Malaysian trumpet snails will hide and forage in the gravel during the day, keeping it aerated and removing waste that might have gathered. They also tend to find their way into aquariums as hitchhikers on live plants or in the gravel. However, their rate of reproduction can overwhelm unprepared keepers. Malaysian trumpet snails are another common freshwater snail that can be a great asset to your aquarium. Let’s check out some freshwater snails that might be the perfect match for your aquarium. Look for ones attached to the glass or moving around. This means that the snail is sick, dying or dead. Most snail problems can be prevented by learning about them to make sure you’re selecting the correct snail for your aquarium type.ĭon’t purchase freshwater snails that are still or upside down on the tank bottom or floating near the surface. All aquatic snails can be useful to your aquarium in some way, but some can be a constant source of annoyance that suddenly overwhelm your aquarium and become difficult to remove. Freshwater SnailsĪlthough each type of snail has its pros and cons, it’s best to research any new additions before including them in your aquarium. Freshwater snails also come in many colors, shapes and sizes. This cleaning ability makes them an outstanding addition to your freshwater tank. ![]() Almost all freshwater snails are beneficial scavengers that eat algae, dead plants, dead fish, extra fish food and other waste. Most are hardy and can do well in the same water parameters as fish, making them compatible with a wide variety of species. Aquatic snails can play a significant role in maintaining a freshwater aquarium ecosystem.
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