How fast do pond snails grow?

[queuetue]

A few weeks ago, I found a snail in my tank, and I thought it was a cool hijacker on some plants, unknowning. A week or so later, I saw a few more, and wondered if I might have a problem.

Now, a month later, I'm crushing 15-30 of the darned things every morning. How can that many snails be hiding in my tank? Do they go from too-small-to-see to an eighth of an inch in a day? I never see a big one (like that first one) - how large do they need to get before they can breed?

 

[J double R]

it takes them a little bit.. they certainly don't grow that fast, but they breed like rabbits.

are they hurting something in your tank? or are they merely cosmetically "unacceptable"?

also, remember.. the more you over-feed, the more food they have to eat, and the more they will breed. cut back on feeding, get more active in maintenance, and that should cut their food supply somewhat, reducing their numbers.

 

[msjinkzd]

I agree, how much are you feeding? How often are you doing wc's and gravel vacs?
I would feed every other day (unless you have juvenile fish) and increase vacs as well as doing hte pick and squish method for awhile. You can also try baiting them wiht some vegetable and then removing. The increased maintenance, decreased feedings, and baiting should bring them to a more "manageable" level. They are helpful in that they eat decaying plant matter and excess foods, but can overpopulate with too ample of a food source. I consider them an excellent gauge of tank health.

 

[jm1212]

pond snails stay relitively small though, even when compared to snails such as ramshorns.

 

[TH3RD_LEG]

They can grow super fast and I was told once that they are basically born with the ability to reproduce without having to mate - don't qoute me but I think they may be one of those animals that is basically born pregnant - sort of like aphids.

As suggested by others, I say slow down on your feeding of your fish as they will eat leftover fish food and that may be a sign that you are feeding your fish way too much - leaving left over food for pond snails - also get a few Ramshorns I know my Giant Columbian Rams and Europeans Rams keep pond snail level low in my tanks.

However, both can eat plants so ninx that idea

Your last resort would be to buy snail removig chemicals but that seems to be a bit of a drastic measure for something that is mostly aesthetic in nature.


Luis Enrique

 

[DAVIDFBT]

The biggest pond snail I've ever seen is one in my pond that is about 1 inch shell length.