Are snails in fish tank good or bad?
Certain snails such as Nerite Snails or Mystery Snails are good for fish tanks, but others will multiply aggressively and ruin the water quality.
It’s essential to understand what type of snail is in your fish tank before deciding to remove it.
It’s important to note, there are certain benefits of having snails in a fish tank, especially the right ones.
These benefits include:
- Ideal for Removing Organic Waste
- Help Regulate Bottom Layer of Fish Tank
- Create a Stable Ecosystem in the Fish Tank
However, just like certain fish can’t work well in the same fish tank, the same applies to snails. You have to make sure only the right ones are added to your aquarium. Anything else is going to endanger your fish and the integrity of your fish tank!
It’s a unique situation to be in, but it can be challenging when you are forced into making a decision. This happens when snail eggs hatch on their own (i.e. coming with an aquarium plant).
This guide will help figure out the answer to your question, “Is having snails in fish tank good or bad?” with a comprehensive look at what to think about during the process.
Table of Contents
Best Food for Snails in Fish Tanks (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
- PLECO FORMULATION: Supports the nutritional needs of herbivore bottom-feeders such as Plecostomus.
- SINKING WAFERS: Provides a complete, balanced diet for algae eaters.
- NUTRITIONALLY BALANCED: Promotes a healthier, longer life – contains zucchini, algae meal and fiber to simulate benefits of...
Last update on 2023-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Tips for Having Snails in Fish Tanks
Tip #1: Choose the Right Snails
For those asking, “Is having snails in fish tank good or bad?”, it’s best to choose the right snails.
If you are inserting Mystery Snails into an aquarium, the impact should be a positive one. This is the type of change you can make without rocking the boat or creating long-term issues.
However, if you start adding the wrong type of snail or an aquarium plant brings along hidden snail eggs, the damage can be noticeable.
This is not something you are going to want to ignore either!
There are several reasons that come along with snails playing an important role in your fish tank’s ecosystem. You can’t ignore their presence because the wrong type can do a lot of damage.
These reasons include:
- Safety of the Fish
- Impact on Water Quality
- General Living Costs and Requirements
Take the time to remove the snail (if it apepared on its own) and see what type is in the aquarium.
If it’s the right type of snail, you can leave a few in the aquarium. However, the wrong type of snail such as Malaysian Trumpet Snails can do quite a bit of damage.
Tip #2: Remove Hatched Snails Before They Multiply
Let’s say Malaysian Trumpet Snails are in your fish tank.
You will want to remove them as soon as you can. The damage they are going to do will leave the fish tank in tatters and the ecosystem will fall apart.
This happens often when fish tank owners aren’t paying attention to what’s happening.
If you let the snails multiply in your fish tank, the damage is going to be extensive.
They are going to spread, tear through the organic material in your tank, and simply ruin everything in your fish tank.
Tip #3: Only Add Snails in Larger Fish Tanks
If you are asking, “Is having snails in fish tank good or bad?” you have to start with the basics.
This means checking what your fish tank’s size is and how many snails are good for your fish tank. This is the only way to ensure you are not ruining the aquarium’s water quality and/or ecosystem.
In general, larger tanks bode well for snails.
If you have a small-sized snail that sits on your desk, it might not be a good fit for snails.
You are going to realize they take up too much space and are too demanding. It’s not worth the effort and it’s and idea you are going to want to nip in the bud right away.
Tip #4: Start with a Small Number of Snails
Let’s assume you are asking questions such as “Is having snails in fish tank good or bad?” and want to see whether it works or not.
This is a reasonable mindset to have.
In this case, you are going to want to take a few snails and add them into the fish tank. Make sure they are the right type that is proven to work well in your fish tank.
From this point forward, you can start seeing how it impacts the fish tank’s water quality and general ecosystem. This information is vital and can be accumulated over the coming days.
Final Thoughts
Is having snails in fish tank good or bad?
It’s always going to depend on the type of snail. With Malaysian Trumpet Snails, you are going to see a tremendous amount of damage in the fish tank, but on the other hand, Mystery Snails fit in nicely.
It’s all about paying attention to your specific situation and whether or not the snails have been added by you.
If not, it’s best to remove them.
Here is more on what matters with your fish tank at home – solutions for placing under your fish tank, how to build a bond with Betta fish, how to soften water in a fish tank, how to add driftwood to a fish tank.