Snails!...this is the creature we dreaded in the past. nowdays its a trend to put their fancy cousins into a planted tank...with a promise, they will only eat algae and leave the plants alone!
wow...wait a minute ...lets walk over this ....slowly...man, this is serious
The fact is all snails are herbivorous creatures, the facts again is creatures do not know how to discriminate, the fact is once they are done with the algae, your plants will be next on the menu....the fact is they will not give two dicks if thats your percious hard to get plant...they eat to survive...thats all they know and thats what creatures do best ...to stay alive no matter what. Finally the fact is a fancy colourfull ,expensive and imported snail is not expected to behave differently from his poorer,less colourfull, local and common cousin.
i have learn not to dispute facts to stay clean and healthy....
lets debate a little more,....the word is these snails eats algae and left over food.
my opening round is ...why are there any left overs in the first place? why are you feeding the amount your fishes couldnt finish? are the snails there to cover up your lack of proper tank maintainence and feeding?
On the statement of these snails are safe for planted tanks......Says who? the lfs? or from an inexperience forum member?
for lfs...hell they will say anything to roll in the cash, it doesnt matter if the snail they sold you eats ups all your plants, he just need to introduce you to a newer better snail that would leave your plants alone......fish takes the hook...yet again. and why do one keep having blind faith in what lfs says.....simple...the lack of proper knowledge.
for the inexperience forum member....are you sure plants are safe with snails?...first let me ask you, what plants are keeping the snails with? ferns? moss? anubias? crypts? can you guarantee me that those snails will not touch soft and delicate leaves like R.wallichii, Ne.crassicaulis,
Nu.subintegerrimum,Pa.crispus or R.macranda? you simply cannot on the general says they are safe with plants just because they are safe with yours...its very misleading. FIY most ferns and anubias species produce toxic making them taste bad to repel would be eaters...a classic case is notorious plant eaters like the sliver dollars will not touch certain ferns and anubias. so what chances will a snail with their simpler digestive system have on ferns and anubias???..of course they wont touch those plants.
well, its not my business if you should put fancy snails in your planted tanks, but such misleading information on how they will not eats plants will cost a true beginner plenty of heartbreak with his hard earned investment. generally a begginner would believe whats been told...and its best they are told right. if you were to tell an old hand to put snails in his tanks...there could only be one answer from him...How stupid are you really!
snails are infact beautifull creatures and are a sight to behold ...in their own setup of course. breeding them is a joy to enjoy...and again in their own setups or with other fishes..but Never with plants.
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