KathyM
Teenage Snail
Posts: 229
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Post by KathyM on Apr 16, 2006 15:03:19 GMT
I nearly burst into an adapted version of "Rat in me kitchen" then. ;D
A snail has hopped a ride with the penguin tetras into our new tank. It's got a long, pointy dark shell and a blackish body, and is teeny weeny.
Any ideas what he is?
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Post by luvfishies on Apr 16, 2006 15:30:17 GMT
Sounds like a Physid or Limnaea. They're cute, breed like mad, don't eat live plants, and will eventually get about 1/2" long. Some get larger, but 1/2" is about average.
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KathyM
Teenage Snail
Posts: 229
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Post by KathyM on Apr 16, 2006 15:32:52 GMT
It's definitely not a physella one, Lisa's got some of them and this one has a much longer, thinner, more conical shell. Will look up Limnaeas, thanks!  |
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KathyM
Teenage Snail
Posts: 229
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Post by KathyM on Apr 16, 2006 15:34:25 GMT
It looks even more conical than the Lymnaeas.  |
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KathyM
Teenage Snail
Posts: 229
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Post by KathyM on Apr 16, 2006 15:35:09 GMT
Oooo could it be a trumpet snail? Are they common? Because it looks like one!
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Post by luvfishies on Apr 16, 2006 15:37:11 GMT
Ahhh, yes, Malaysian Trumpet Snail, if it's really long and skinny and pointy. They can survive a nuclear blast  and also breed like mad. Don't be surprised if it "disappears" into the gravel, then all of a sudden you see lots of little wee ones. |
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KathyM
Teenage Snail
Posts: 229
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Post by KathyM on Apr 16, 2006 15:40:50 GMT
Oh bugger! LOL
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Post by luvfishies on Apr 16, 2006 15:44:00 GMT
Not a bad thing, actually, as they do help turn/churn the gravel, which helps prevent "dead spots" or anearobic pockets. They also don't eat plants, but they may go after fish eggs.
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KathyM
Teenage Snail
Posts: 229
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Post by KathyM on Apr 16, 2006 15:49:09 GMT
Oh that's quite good then! I've gone from "argh" to "yay" ;D
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Post by felix93 on Apr 16, 2006 17:00:18 GMT
If it's Malaysian Trumpet snail, you will have a lot of surprises very soon. I only have 2 in my fish tank and then they disappeared for quite sometimes, thought I lost them and then all for the sudden, after cleaning the tank out, these 2 little guys reappeared but just with "millions" of their offsprings too. I have got lots in the tank now but I rarely see them anyway. ;D
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KathyM
Teenage Snail
Posts: 229
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Post by KathyM on Apr 16, 2006 17:47:07 GMT
I'm not bothered really as long as they do their job LOL.
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Post by SnailTrail on Apr 16, 2006 21:54:11 GMT
I keep them in all my tanks and hubby keeps them in his too.
Taking out larger snails (more than 1 inch) and not overfeeding will keep the population down if you want to. They do a great job though.
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Post by *Sian* on Apr 16, 2006 21:57:07 GMT
I have 28+ spread out in 4 tanks and a big vase, and I've only ever seen TWO babies  lol. Granted 3 of the tanks have fish in that will snack on snails, but it was in one of those that I saw the babies! Not the other safe places lol. |
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Post by SnailTrail on Apr 16, 2006 22:08:12 GMT
I noticed the mts in hubby's tank hide more (because there's loaches) but the ones in my tanks are always on view.....all sizes.....i'm overrun lol.
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KathyM
Teenage Snail
Posts: 229
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Post by KathyM on Apr 17, 2006 12:14:42 GMT
Well, as predicted, snaily has disappeared *lol*. Will keep you updated.
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and also breed like mad. Don't be surprised if it "disappears" into the gravel, then all of a sudden you see lots of little wee ones.
lol. Granted 3 of the tanks have fish in that will snack on snails, but it was in one of those that I saw the babies! Not the other safe places lol.