Freshwater Aquarium Snails
Freshwater aquarium snails aren’t for everyone. But it you have respect for the slow moving, methodical nature of snails then they are a great option for many aquariums.
Freshwater Aquarium Snail Options
Assassin Snails
The name says a lot… Assassin snails love to eat other snails. They are known to eat most snails that are less than, or even equal to, their own size. This can be great if you have an infestation of unwanted snails. Just introduce an assassin snail and let it go to work. Further, because Assassin snails do not self-reproduce, you don’t have to work about their population increasing on you.
These freshwater aquarium snails work well with other fish – i.e. they tend to leave them alone. Just bear in mind that you will have to feed them, especially when the unwanted snail population has been taken care of!
Trumpet Snails
These freshwater aquarium snails are perhaps the best type of snails for removing waste from your aquarium. Trumpet snails eat algae and other unwanted waste in your tank, but are not known for then attacking your plants.
Trumpet snails like to burrow into your substrate. This helps to aerate it and prevent the buildup of unwanted gasses. One thing to be aware of is that Trumpet snails are self producing. They are capable of producing around 10 snails per year. If you are not careful you may end up with a large number of unwanted snails and ending up having to introduce an Assassin snail!
Mystery Snails
Mystery snails are another type of freshwater aquarium snail that is used for cleaning waste in the tank. Mystery snails come in a wide range of colors and markings. Three of the most well known Mystery snails are:
- Ivory White Mystery Snail
- Blue Mystery Snail
- Golden Mystery Snail
Unlike Trumpet snails, Mystery snails pose less of a reproduction threat. They only reproduce around once per year. As a result you do not have to worry about the population in your tank suddenly exploding!
Nerite Snails
Nerite snails are another type of freshwater aquarium snail that are great for cleaning waste in the tank. They spend large parts of their day moving around the tank searching for algae and fish waste. They come in a range of varieties. Three of the most well known Mystery snails are:
- Tiger Nerite Snail
- Horned Nerite Snail
- Zebra Nerite Snail
Unlike Trumpet snails, Mystery snails pose less of a reproduction threat. They require a partner in order to reproduce. They are also unlikely to do so unless you provide them with brackish water. As a result you do not have to worry about the population in your tank suddenly exploding!
Ivory Snails
Ivory snails are another type of freshwater aquarium snail. They have a lifespan of approximately one year and grow up to 2 inches in length. Like many other freshwater aquarium snails, they are great for removing algae, fish waste and other unwanted biological matter.
In contract to many of the other snails discussed, Ivory snails stand out, rather than blend into, your aquarium. Their ivory color makes them easily identifiable and a focal point of many aquariums.
Ramshorn Snails
Ramshorn snails can be another great option for your tank. These freshwater aquarium snails do a great job of eating up unwanted biological matter within your tank. The one detraction is that they are egg laying and their populations can grow quite quickly as a result. It may be necessary to remove some from the tank (or add an assassin snail) on a periodic basis.
Ramshorn snails grow up to 2cm in length and normally live for around 1 year.
Freshwater Aquarium Snails – Conclusion
Freshwater aquarium snails can be a fun and interesting addition to your tank. But if snails aren’t quite your thing there are plenty of other options. Freshwater aquarium crabs and freshwater aquarium catfish both make for interesting options in your freshwater aquarium.