http://forum.aqua-fish.net/ A forum devoted to aquarium fish, plants, techniques and fish keeping as a whole. en http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=ramshorn-snail#1 Many aquarists consider ramshorn snails to be the worst snails out here. Well, I must agree, because both of my tanks have become overpopulated by these snails and I couldn’t find any way how to remove them from tanks successfuly. On the other hand, ramshorns give you some benefits which other snails or fish don’t offer. First, let me say how snails are introduced into your aquarium without any notice. Small eggs on plants are probably behind 100% of infiltrations. These eggs can’t be seen usually since they’re nearly invisible. As time goes by, eggs get larger and hatch. Unfortunately, 1 egg doesn’t equal to 1 snail. Often 1 egg contains 20-30 snails babies. What does the ramshorn snail eat? Algae, uneaten fish food, dead fish, dead plants. Carrot can be used for hunting. Just put one or two carrots into the tank, wait a few hours and you’ll find it fully occupied by snails . They prefer older carrot rather than young one; Older means it’s in water long enough (3-4 days in general). Which fish do eat ramshorns? You should bear in mind that small snails can be eaten by many fish specimens and species. Not only puffer fish and loaches, but angelfish, gouramis, etc, etc. It all depends on how often you feed your fish. Do ramshorns need aerated tank? Yes, they need it. You can easily hunt some snails by stopping the aeration. Soon you’ll see how they climb to upper levels in order to breath. It’s very easy to take them out of the tank manually . Disadvantages 1) They easily take over your tank since they breed like rabbits, 2) They produce lots of excrements, 3) Your tank won’t look nice if you keep more snails than fish within. Advantages Here we go to what many fishkeepers (beginners especially) don’t know: 1) Ramshorns are capable to eat small-sized fish (5-6 cm in length) in a day or two! This is great when you realise that dead fish might cause catastrophe in your tank if you don’t find it asap. 2) Every ramshorn snail likes algae, 3) If your aeration doesn’t work properly, you’ll find your snails at top levels. Lifespan They usually live 1 year or less. But there are guys which live 2 years or even more! Pictures Ramshorn smail big image 1 (http://www.aqua-fish.net/imgs/articles/ramshorn-snail.jpg); Ramshorn snail big image 2 (http://www.aqua-fish.net/imgs/articles/ramshorn-snail-1.jpg) Useful link: http://www.naturegrid.org.uk/pondexplorer/gallery/ramshorn.html Remember, take your snails as friends, not enemies. I keep them in both of my tanks. Of course, my fish control their population, but I don’t want to dispose them. original post: April 6, 2007, 6:06 am jan 2008-05-02 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=ramshorn-snail#2 So my mom used to have a planted aquarium that got completely overrun with ramshorn snails. She doesn't believe in using them to feed loaches so she let the problem get bad until she had to set up a second aquarium for her snails so that her fish could survive. That tank eventually got bad so she decided to start a third one. This time I convinced her to put a gourami in the aquarium. The gourami is not the complete solution to the snail problem but it's a start and he seems very fat and happy. meliss_cole 2008-05-13 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=ramshorn-snail#3 for anyone loused out with snails in their tanks,don't waste your money buying treatments to get rid of them,all it does is stun the snails,they can be controlled by getting them out by hand-just takes time mickey 2008-05-13 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=ramshorn-snail#4 When you take them out where do you put them? I mean, you can't just throw them away cause they'll get out, or they'd die and stink up the place. I think I'd rather add some snail eating fish to the tank. meliss_cole 2008-05-14 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=ramshorn-snail#5 put them in a knotted plastic bag,no smell bye bye snails mickey 2008-05-14 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=ramshorn-snail#6 Im thinking of breeding All sorts of diff Aqurium snails i got loads of pests snails and couple rhamys what should i go for next Regards shaney Shaney 2010-03-06 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=ramshorn-snail#7 Breed Pomaceae Bridgesii, they always sell well and you get some magnificent colours on their shells Heres a link to their profile http://www.fishtankforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=158&t=3063 mickey 2010-03-06