Algae and Betta tank mates

[Sivan]

A snail might be more manageable for when I travel. How would a mystery snail do? I saw some cute ones in PetSmart.

[Goldibug]

Mystery snails are apple snails. They lay their eggs above the water but if you don't want them to reproduce you just scrape off the eggs when you see them. They are really easy to spot.

[Tikibirds]

Trapdoor snails are mostly algae eaters but they are not asexual and they give birth to one live snail at a time. However they get huge. Plus I have never seen them sold in stores. I got some out of a lake and now I have a small army of babies. Come visit Lake George and I can give ya some :D Im not sure if its legal to ship them through the mail or not.

Also, don't most of the good bacteria live in the filter/decor and not in the water itself? so if you did a big water change it shouln't affect your cycle too much. I do almost 100% changes on my sisters stupid goldfish tank since its only 10G and she has 2 fish - I have yet to crash her cycle. Not sure it would do much for the algae or not. Do you use a light? Try keeping it on for no more then 8 hours a day.

[Sivan]

If I get one snail will it reproduce? I don't know much of anything when it comes to snails.

I try to keep the light off as much as possible in the summer time because of how hot it has been getting here and my room traps all the heat inside it.

[registereduser]

My post from page one since I think you missed it:

Nerite snails might lay eggs but the eggs won't hatch in fresh water. The eggs are tiny white dots. Mine is laying eggs now but they are not hard to clean up.

My tank was covered in algae and it was gone in 2 weeks with the nerites.

[Sivan]

Originally Posted by registereduser

My post from page one since I think you missed it:

Nerite snails might lay eggs but the eggs won't hatch in fresh water. The eggs are tiny white dots. Mine is laying eggs now but they are not hard to clean up.

My tank was covered in algae and it was gone in 2 weeks with the nerites.

Thanks! What if I get one snail? Should I still worry about eggs? How often should I look for them?

[registereduser]

Originally Posted by Sivan

Thanks! What if I get one snail? Should I still worry about eggs? How often should I look for them?

I have 3, one in a 5 gallon and 2 in a 20. It's Bucky, the one in the 5 gallon that laid a few eggs. I count about 20 that I can see, easily cleaned once I do a water change. I ordered them from PetCo. One died on me right away but they replaced it.

[Sivan]

Thanks guys! I think I will pick up a snail buddy for Crusoe this weekend. How do you add a snail to a betta tank?

[registereduser]

Originally Posted by Sivan

Thanks guys! I think I will pick up a snail buddy for Crusoe this weekend. How do you add a snail to a betta tank?

Just plop them in.

Bucky, my 5 gallon snail is dead

He crawled out of the tank thru the opening by the filter and I found him behind the tank. I had noticed him missing for a few days before I found him.

[Sivan]

So sorry to hear about your snaily. :(

Do I really not need to acclimate them first? Do I have to put them in isolation before adding? Will my betta attack it if I just drop it in?