Adding snails can be a novel way to boost the ecosystem of your fish tank. They are low maintenance, humble, and truely underrated additions to any aquarium.
Why Snails Are Popular in Fish Tanks
The Benefits of Having Snails in Aquariums
Many species of snails, like Nerite and Mystery Snails, are excellent algae eaters. They graze on algae that accumulates on tank walls, decorations, and plants, helping to clean your tank and extend the time between manual scrub downs. In addition to algae, snails also consume leftover fish food, decaying and dead plant matter, and biofilm (a slimy layer of bacteria that builds up on surfaces). Some species, such as the Malaysian Trumpet Snail, will even clean within the substrate itself. Snails also add a unique element to your tank with their various shell colors and patterns.
Are Snails Good for All Types of Fish Tanks?
Most snails kept in home aquariums are freshwater species. However, there are still some that prefer saltwater environments, such as Cerith Snails. Therefore, don’t assume that any snail will survive in your tank’s parameters. Do your homework first to check their compatibility with your aquarium before you buy them.
If keeping your snails in a planted tank, then you will also want to consider the role you want them to play. This is because not all snails will just eat algae, some are partial to the odd nibble of a plant too. If you want to keep snails and don’t want to have to worry about your plants, then consider species like Malaysian Trumpet Snails, Nerite Snails and Mystery Snails as the are less likely to harm healthy plants – choosing to focus on algae and decaying matter. Whereas, species such as Apple Snails may nibble on vegetation, and others, such as Ramhorn snails, will eat plants when other food sources are scarce.
Types of Snails for Fish Tanks
Best Freshwater Snails for Tropical Aquariums
Nerite Snails
Nerite snails are a popular choice and are known as good algae eaters. They help to keep the tank exceptionally clean. Moreover, while they do lay eggs in freshwater, but these won’t hatch unless placed in brackish or saltwater; thus, making them a very low-maintenance option as there is no risk of overpopulation. This species lives 1-2 years and originate from East Africa and South-East Asia.
They prefer water temperatures of 72–78°F (22–26°C), a pH of 7.5-8.5, and moderate-to-hard water hardness.
Mystery Snails
Mystery Snails are peaceful, vibrant, and fun to watch, and are another great algae eating species. This species lives 1-2 years and originates from the Amazon River Basin, in South America. They have a unique breathing mechanism that allows them to survive in various aquatic environments, including for brief periods outside the tank! So, if keeping this species, it’s important to make sure your tank lid is secure to prevent any escapes.
They are happy in a wide water temperature range, 68–84°F (20–29°C), a pH of 7.0-8.0, and moderate-to-hard water hardness.
Malaysian Trumpet Snails
This is another snail species originating from South-East Asia, and they live 1-2 years. These snails burrow into the substrate. This action helps to aerate the substrate, preventing harmful gas pockets from forming. They do this best in tanks with sand or fine gravel. Keep in mind that this species does reproduce quickly, with live young rather than eggs, and spending time within the tank substrate can make it challenging to control their numbers if there is a lot of excess food for them to eat.
They prefer water temperatures of 70–80°F (21–27°C), a pH of 7.0-8.0, and moderate-to-hard water hardness.
Ramshorn Snails
With their distinctive coiled shells, Ramshorn Snails are both attractive and effective cleaners, available in a range of colours including reds, browns and even blues. This species is found across the globe, and again lives for around 1-2 years. Ramshorns are hermaphroditic and, therefore, another species that can reproduce prolifically. Because of this, it’s important to monitor their population to avoid overcrowding. Be really conscious of how much food is given in your tank, and remove any excess to help control their population size.
They prefer water temperatures of 70–78°F (21–26°C), a pH of 7.0-8.0, and soft-to-moderate water hardness.
Rabbit Snails
This species can grow up to 4 inches and have a lifespan of 1-3 years, originating from Sulawesi, Indonesia. These snails feed on both algae and fish food, making them excellent for maintaining a clean tank. Unlike many other snail species that lay eggs, rabbit snails give live birth to young snails, which adds a unique aspect. Their name originates from their rabbit-like appearance when their extended foot is visible.
They prefer slightly water temperatures of 76–84°F (24–269C), a pH of 7.4-8.4, and moderate-to-hard water hardness.
Cold-Water Fish Tank Snails
Cold-water species like Pond Snails are highly adaptable and can survive in lower temperatures, including unheated aquariums and outdoor ponds. Originally from North America, these snails can even overwinter in colder climates, provided conditions aren’t too extreme. They live for 1-2 years, and are another prolific breading species – so keep an eye on their numbers if keeping them in your tank. They quite often sneak into aquariums uninvited, hitchiking on aquarium live plants that have been grown in a tank housing snails.
They can survive in a wide range of water temperature, 65–80°F (18–27°C), a pH of 6.5-8.5, and soft-to-moderate water hardness.
Compatible Snails for Betta Fish Tanks
Betta fish can coexist with snails like Nerites or Mystery Snails, as these species are non-aggressive and won’t provoke territorial behavior. Ensure plenty of hiding spots for the snails if your Betta becomes curious.
How to Care for Aquarium Snails
Proper Tank Conditions for Snails
Most snails are happy to stay in a pH between 7.0 and 8.0 and a temperature between 72°F and 78°F (22°C to 26°C). As with fish, the stability of your water parameters is going to be the key thing, as spikes in ammonia and nitrite are not good for any living animals in your aquarium. In general, snails prefer moderate to hard water hardness.
How to Introduce Snails to Your Fish Tank Safely
Similar to introducing new fish to your tank, you’ll want to acclimate your snails slowly to their new home. Float them in a container in the tank to start with, to bring the water they are in up to the same temperature as that of the tank. Then start to gradually mix in small amounts of your tank water into their container. A little bit every 10-20 min should do the trick. Monitor them for any signs of stress. If them seem happy after at least 50% ratio of new tank water and a stabilized water temperature, then you’re good to introduce them to their new home.
What Do Snails Eat in a Fish Tank?
Snails feed on algae, biofilm, and detritus. They are particularly effective at eating algae, which helps to keep your tank clean. If these food sources are scarce, you can supplement their diet with blanched vegetables like zucchini or specialized snail pellets. They will, of course, also eat any leftover food in the tank from your fish.
Also remember to avoid overfeeding, as uneaten food can rot and degrade water quality. Certain foods high in acids may harm snail shells. But mainly, because excess food quickly becomes excess snails in a fish tank.
How Long Do Snails Live in Fish Tanks?
The lifespan of snails varies by species, most listed above live between 1-2 years, with Rabbit Snails up to around 3 years.
Common Problems with Snails in Fish Tanks
While snails offer numerous benefits, they can become problematic if their population isn’t controlled.
How to Prevent Snail Overpopulation
Limit Food Supply: Overfeeding encourages the snail population to reproduce rapidly. Feed your fish only what they can eat within a few minutes.
Manual Removal: Periodically check the tank for excess snails and remove them manually. If you have fish in your tank that like a little protein, such as corydoras, you can crush the snail shells for your fish to get a free protein-rich feed.
Introduce Predators: Assassin Snails as well as many loach species are good a natural solution for controlling pest snail populations, to name only a few. Do keep in mind the other tank mates for compatibility though.
Managing Snail Eggs in the Aquarium: Snail eggs often appear as gelatinous clumps on tank surfaces. Removing these eggs manually is the easiest way to prevent unwanted snails. Nerite Snails, however, lay eggs that won’t hatch in freshwater, minimizing this issue (as mentioned earlier).
