Ramshorn and Trumpet snails are two of many species of snails that are available for the home aquarium. These small snails are relentless as a clean up crew. They will eat leftover fish foods, detritus, dead livestock, decaying plant matter and soft algae. This can make them a valuable asset to the balance of your tank.
Ramshorn snails are also bred and used as live food for different types of fish such as puffer fish and some loaches. Trumpet snails are sometimes used to keep gravel and sand stirred as these snails love to burrow under the substrate
The lifespan of a snail is typically about one year. For this reason they are prolific breeders and will reproduce as long as food is available and conditions are tolerable. Actually, controlling reproduction can be a constant battle.
Ramshorn snails are mostly seen in their most common brown color, but can be found in the more rare blue, red, and pink colors also. These variations are usually a bit more expensive than the brown hues.
Trumpet snails are distinguished by their cone shaped shells
Aquatic snails should be added to established tanks only and can either be kept in a species only tank or with peaceful tank mates. Use caution when adding snails to a tank that contains fish. As mentioned above some fish will eat snails.
Even though most snails will scavenge the tank for food, they must be fed alternative foods to ensure they get an abundance of nutrients. Some foods to feed include algae wafers, kale, zucchini, and carrots. These foods contain calcium and should be fed 2-3 times weekly. Calcium is crucial for proper shell growth. A snail that is lacking in calcium will have spots where the shell begins to deteriorate. It is advised to add a cuttlebone to your tank. Be sure to remove the metal that is attached to it before placing it in the water.
In order to help your snails get the calcium that they need you can make your own snail jello or snail-o! Below is a simple to follow recipe that you can make at home. Many fish will love this snail-o too!!
Snail-o Recipe
(This gel recipe can be used for fish also. Just tweek the ingredients based on your fish's diet requirements)
Ingredients:
Kale
Spinach
Spirulina powder (optional but a great superfood)
Fish food (optional)
Algae wafers (optional)
Finely crushed calcium pill or tums with added calcium
Reptomin Sticks for turtles and frogs (make sure it has added calcium)
2 Packets of unflavored Knox’s Gelatin
Instructions:
In a blender, add kale, spinach, crushed calcium, and any fish or frog foods you may be using.
Blend.
Add enough water (couple TBSP at a time) until a paste forms (about the consistency of thick baby food)
Pour the paste into a microwave safe bowl and heat until bubbling.
Stir in both packets of gelatin.
Quickly pour into a shallow pan lined with baking paper.
Chill in refrigerator until gel is set. ( I usually let mine set overnight in fridge)
Tips:
Have fun with this recipe! Don't worry about exact measurements..its mostly trial and error.
Use ice trays to pour and chill mixture in for ready to use cubes.
Experiment with different veggies and fish foods that are high in calcium.
Side note:
When adding medicines to a tank that houses snails, always make sure that it is safe for inverts. Never use copper in an aquarium with snails. Copper is very deadly to snails. Be sure to properly acclimate your snails before adding them to your tank.
>>>Disclaimer: This blog is written based upon my own personal experiences. There are different ways to apply this technique. This is what works for me. Do your research before diving in based on one persons opinions and experiences.
Comments