Snails

Can I have a snail without fish and just feed it everyday? Also how long should you leave uneaten veggies for your snail in your tank?

i don't see why you couldn't have a snail without fish, so I'd say yes.
and i never leave uneaten veggies in my tank longer than 24 hours, after that they turn brown and/or feel slimy and i think they add ammonia to the water.

okay thanks for the advice

Snails probably don't eat as much as fish, because they move slower and thus use less energy. Most of them also eat algae, which as we all know is free even if you don't want it. Some of the people who sell on Aquabid.com have snail only habitats and may be a good source of information about snail varities and requirements.

hi, i just bought two Mystery Snails yesterday to add to my 2.5 gal. tank...it just has goldfish in it, some rocks and plastic plants...
I have algae tablets,and will feed them fresh veggies also...
But just wondering, ive heard they dont like salt...do i not salt the water at all? If not, how much should i put in?
And advice on them is greatly appreciated!
TIA!

~RoyalLebanon4

Welcome to our forum.

Adding salt for a freshwatwer species is a bad idea. The snails need calcium, which is usually in hard water. Mystery snails spawn above the water level, and their egg pods look something like a wasp nest. Be concerned about water quality more than appetites; over feeding often makes for an aquatic disaster.

oohhhhh ok! So i shouldn't be adding salt at all to the goldie/snail tank then? what about for bettas?

thanks for the info!

Salt should really only be added to a freshwater tank if the fish have an injury or fin rot. It really isn't needed otherwise. I would never add it to your snails. It is wise to use a hospital tank for sick fish. That way you can isolate the affected fish and treat it without exposing snails or other fish to salt or chemicals. Much of the time all you need is frequent water changes to fix a fish. Chemicals should be a last resort.

ok great! thanks everyone for clearing that up for me

i couldn't let this topic go by without adding my 2.2 cents.

i am a big snail fan, and all my tanks have snails that multiply and are procreating to no end (i am kidding), their population stabilizes depending on the food available.

i now have a tank that is only snails. with 1-2 fish. i dont feed the snails anything etc. have some live plants and shine a whole bunch of light. the snails are happy with the algae and also help to keep it down. basically you can lower the light time if there is more algae than what snails can eat.

so no salts. you can add small pieces of zuchini or lettuce if needed. otherwise algae is good enough.

thats great! haha i need to get a replacement bulb for my 2.5 gal aquarium light. i just have artificial plants, but i also drop an algae wafer in there every few days...have you ever tried feeding your snails fresh veggies, like romaine lettuce/spinach from a lettuce clip? Id like to try that..
My snails seem to be doing really good. They're fascinationg creatures...sat and just stared at them for a while last night! they're pretty cool lil guys..

If you are going to provide fresh veggies, make sure you don't provide too much or you might just have a snail infestation. Also I heard that zucchini works too.

yeah i have tried fresh veggies....lettuce, zuchini works best. any eaten stuff should be removed. dont let it rot in there.

snails love rotten veggies and plants they smell it and go after it like crazy what kind of snails are they? i have a lot of snails i love mystery snails there also food for my puffer so when i get to many lambo gets to eat up