[boet]

This was a great article and I just wanted to add one more snail predator that I discovered other then those listed. I recently purchased 5 Anetome Helena snails - also known as "Assissin or Killer Snails". These are a type of "Whelk" snail and they are small (approx 1 inch in length) , pretty (black and yellow stripe), do not populate fast (one visible egg at a time and it takes two to tango) and they are carnivores. Favorite food are other snails of similar size and smaller. Supposedly they do not eat snails larger they they are such as Mystery Snails but I have not tried this to confirm. So far I am finding empty snail shells here and there and I have seen them in action. I do not think they will eradicate my snail population but they sure will help keep it in check.

Oh, a word of warning. If this particular snail got into our warmer water ways it would be horribly invasive. As with any of our charges - stay on your toes and do not release anything.....

Oops. Sorry, I should have posted this in the "Discuss Magazine Article". Can an admin do that?

[freshfish]

Good addition, Kathy.

[Zilla]

I read that article as well as people seem to get a kick of trying to make me convert to being snail friendly. I'm still not and the article did nothing to encourage me to think otherwise as more than the second half of the article was dedicated to how to get rid of snails.

I still think it's easier to take care of things myself on a a daily basis. Banjo catfish are also said to be good predators for snails, however, they're diggers and nocturnal. Not fun for those that must have display fish even if they are cool looking in their own way when they are out.

[Tom Lorenz]

Thanks for the compliments and the addition. I found out about that snail assassin too late, but man do I want to see some of them in action.

[freshfish]

I've heard (and seen pics) that Assasin snails also eat just about any other critter small enough to be caught (including fish fry and shrimp), so do keep that in mind.

[J.B.]

Where did you hear/read that at, Zilla? I'm going to go see if I can find some info on Banjo's as I've never heard that. I've got a ton of MTS in my 20g and have always like the Banjo, so this may be reason to finally try one.

[boet]

Update on my assassin snails :) They make a regular dent in my small pond snails but I still have to help a bit. As for fish fry and shrimp - unless fish or shrimp are sick I don't think they are a danger in that way. I have lots of cherry shrimp and haven't seen any sign of a problem with them.

Besides, they are a very pretty snail :) I wish they would breed but no go so far.

[Tom Lorenz]

Disturbing video here, not because of violence but because the MTS seem to be living happily with the assassins:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC0RRdV2Bcc


although maybe that was a temporary 'peace'.

other cool vids (you know how youtube browsing goes), where snails were eaten:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsrIcX-9 ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5yo6DNG ... re=related


still looking for stuff showing them wiping out MTS.

[Zilla]

Where did you hear/read that at, Zilla? I'm going to go see if I can find some info on Banjo's as I've never heard that. I've got a ton of MTS in my 20g and have always like the Banjo, so this may be reason to finally try one.

Sorry JB, it's been quite awhile since I've been here.

I got that info from the people that work at my LFS. They don't carry them very often so I'm not sure if it's a supply/ demand type of thing or if they are difficult to breed in captivity? Since posting about this, my LFS hasn't had anymore that I'm aware of.

My LFS likes to play Forrest Gump when they do their orders. One never knows what they will get in on order days.

[Hurriken]

Careful J.B. Many snail predators ignore MTS. They have a very hard shell. Check first.