Snails and their diets: diatoms and cyano

Hal · 11/15/2007, 11:01 AM

I was reading descriptions of seveal snails and their diets at one of our sponsors websites and was surprised that they listed nerites, margarita's, and baha snails as eating diatoms and cyano (one, the other, or both). Is this true?

Travis L. Stevens · 11/15/2007, 11:13 AM

To an extent, yes. Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that they are the best thing for the job, or for aquariums for that matter. Nerites are intertidal and known for crawling out of tanks. Margarita Snails are known for cooler waters. On the other hand, Cerith Snails (AKA Baha) are really good for our tanks and often highly recommended. But, they tend to stay in the sand, and only occassionally on glass and rocks. If you're having a problem with any film algae on rocks and glass, I would look for a different animal.

With that said, in the end nothing is better than preventive maintenance. If you can keep film algae from forming by performing regular maintenance, then there is no need to load your tank with snails to mask a problem.

stingythingy45 · 11/15/2007, 11:16 AM

They are probably saying that because...well.....they do taste it.So will a Damsel,but it's hardly
going to be enough for control.
The only creature I have ever heard of that will touch cyano is the red footed konk.

ClayWagner · 11/15/2007, 11:55 AM

It's easier to clean the glass in the DT than to have snails anyways. You'd have to have a very large amount to make progress. I have some Turbo's in my fuge and they keep the glass clean and I never magfloat it. They are always on glass or rock too. Bout a dozen or so in a 10 gal

11/15/2007, 11:01 AM	#1
Hal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 1,889	Snails and their diets: diatoms and cyano I was reading descriptions of seveal snails and their diets at one of our sponsors websites and was surprised that they listed nerites, margarita's, and baha snails as eating diatoms and cyano (one, the other, or both). Is this true?

11/15/2007, 11:13 AM	#2
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	To an extent, yes. Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that they are the best thing for the job, or for aquariums for that matter. Nerites are intertidal and known for crawling out of tanks. Margarita Snails are known for cooler waters. On the other hand, Cerith Snails (AKA Baha) are really good for our tanks and often highly recommended. But, they tend to stay in the sand, and only occassionally on glass and rocks. If you're having a problem with any film algae on rocks and glass, I would look for a different animal. With that said, in the end nothing is better than preventive maintenance. If you can keep film algae from forming by performing regular maintenance, then there is no need to load your tank with snails to mask a problem. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

11/15/2007, 11:16 AM	#3
stingythingy45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 3,296	They are probably saying that because...well.....they do taste it.So will a Damsel,but it's hardly going to be enough for control. The only creature I have ever heard of that will touch cyano is the red footed konk. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 90 gallon,mixed Reef,2-250 watt Optix 3 pendants(Phoenix 14K)2-54 watt T5 Super actnics ,ASM G-2 Gate/recirc mods,70 gal. basement sump,20L ref

11/15/2007, 11:55 AM	#4
ClayWagner Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 304	It's easier to clean the glass in the DT than to have snails anyways. You'd have to have a very large amount to make progress. I have some Turbo's in my fuge and they keep the glass clean and I never magfloat it. They are always on glass or rock too. Bout a dozen or so in a 10 gal __________________ What kind of bee's make the best milk? ....BOO-BEES!