Getting Rid of Unwanted Freshwater Aquarium Snails

Freshwater aquarium snails are purchased for algae clean-up duty and to add variation in aquatic life in the fish tank. Sometimes, snails also hitch a ride into an aquarium as eggs or juveniles on live plants and aquarium decorations. No matter how they get in your tank, many freshwater aquarium snails multiply rapidly and can become a nuisance. Getting rid of unwanted freshwater aquarium snails can be a time-consuming and frustrating task.

Manual removal of existing freshwater aquarium snails is always an option. Adult snails and larger juveniles can be scooped out with a fish net or plucked off glass, substrate and aquarium ornaments by hand. With extreme diligence, manual snail removal can reduce the number of aquatic snails, but may not eliminate the whole problem. Many parts of a decorated aquarium are inaccessible or unable to be properly viewed. Snail eggs and babies will not be able to be removed in this way.

Speed up manual removal by putting shredded lettuce or a piece of cucumber in the bottom of a small glass and lowering it into the fish tank. The freshwater aquarium snails will flock into the glass for their treat and then can be removed easily en masse.

Chemical solutions, which can be purchases at any pet or aquaria store, kill snails and eggs effectively. Most solutions are harsh, copper-sulfate-based chemicals and can also harm fish or other invertebrates in the home aquarium. This method is best used in emergency snail situations only. After application, a large quantity of dead freshwater aquarium snails and eggs will still be in the tank. Vacuuming and frequent partial water changes will be needed to restore healthy water parameters.

Freshwater aquarium snails in excess amounts can be eradicated or controlled with the introduction of snail-eating fish species. Some cichlids enjoy snails, but can only be kept in appropriate aquatic habitats with other cichlids. Other fish that eat snails include gouramis, some catfish and loaches. Clown, kuhli and yoyo loaches are excellent snail removal experts. Be sure these varieties of fish can cohabitate peacefully with the other fish in the aquarium before purchase.

If all else fails, complete deconstruction of the freshwater aquarium may be the only hope for a snail-free tank. Examine and clean all tank decorations, plants and the substrate as well as filter, pump and heater hardware. Boiling will kill snails and snail eggs. This method is a last resort, as it will destroy the beneficial bacteria colonies in the tank. Before re-introducing fish, the tank will need to be cycled again. However, this sterilization method should eliminate freshwater aquarium snails completely.