Which Snails For Your Aquarium?

Lets talk about freshwater snails! There are many different types of snails in the freshwater hobby and would love to talk about some of them so that you can decide which ones to keep in your aquarium!

1. Snails That Overpopulate

There are some snails in the hobby that some may consider as pests and get a bad rep. For me I love these snails and I don't mind keeping them! So why do some consider them pests?? Well because they multiply and overpopulate pretty fast if you overfeed a tank. Ramshorn, Trumpet, and Bladder snails lay eggs frequently.

The image above are Ramshorn Snails that I keep. Look how beautiful they look! I honestly love them and makes my job easier when it comes to cleaning the tank. You can keep them under control and that is to limit your feeding the tank. If you have some in your tank and want to remove them there are other snails that you can add to your tank and I will talk about them so just keep reading.

2. Snails That You Can Control Population

If having a colony of snails bugs you then look into Mystery Snails! They vary in colors and are gentile giants. Mystery Snails need a partner to reproduce so if you want more of these snails make sure to get them a partner. They lay their eggs above the waterline making it easier for removal.

3. Snails That Lay Eggs But Can’t Hatch in Freshwater 

There are snails will never overpopulate or even give baby snails at all! These are the Nerite Snails. Female Nerite Snails lay eggs but they will never hatch in freshwater because they need brackish/salt water. These are great if you don't want new snails appearing out of nowhere. The only downside of these is that female Nerite Snails lay white eggs everywhere and can be noticeable so keep that in mind.

4. Rabbit Snails

Rabbit Snails are unique, with long, pointed shells and slow reproductive rates. They are known as the elephant snails and are very peaceful. They come in a variety of colors and are very beautiful! They are live bearers and can only reproduce 1 - 2 snails at a time and not very often.

5. Assassin Snails – The Snail Predators

Assassin snails are carnivorous and will eat other snails. Though its not my preferable way of removing other snails, others suggests that these are an easy fix for removing unwanted snails in your aquarium. They are slow breeders so they wont overtake your tank but keep in mind that once they are done cleaning up unwanted snails they may need supplemental feeding since they are carnivorous. They are also known for eating shrimps on some occasions so keep that in mind.

Final Thoughts

Freshwater snails are fantastic additions to any tank, but it’s essential to choose the right species based on your needs. Whether you want a snail that stays under control, one that doesn’t reproduce at all, or even a snail that helps manage pests, there’s a perfect choice for you.

Looking to add freshwater snails to your aquarium? Check out our selection of healthy and vibrant snails today!