How to Raise Snails for Fish Food
Some species of aquarium fish, including gouramis, cichlids and loaches, can be fed certain snails, as dietary supplements. In fact, for some fish -- particularly puffers -- snails are actually a major part of their regular diet. However, most pet stores do not stock large quantities of feeder snails -- if they stock any at all. Snails caught in the wild often carry harmful parasites. Therefore, the most sensible solution for many aquarists, especially puffer owners, is to breed and raise their own snails for fish food.
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Things You'll Need
- 10 gallon aquarium
- Aquarium filter
- 2+ ramshorn or pond snails
- Green vegetables
- Aquarium siphon
- Aquarium water test kit
- Aquarium water conditioner (optional)
Instructions
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Fill the aquarium with conditioner-treated water, and attach and turn on the filter. Allow it to run empty for at least a few days. In lieu of the water conditioner, you can simply treat the water by setting it out overnight, prior to introducing it to the tank.
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2
Acquire at least two ramshorn snails, or two pond snails, from your local pet store or a friend's aquarium and place them in your aquarium. Both species are hermaphroditic, so you don't need to worry about the sex of the snails.
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3
Regularly feed the snails blanched or otherwise softened green vegetables, such as lettuce, squash and zucchini. Remove uneaten bits of food from the tank as it starts to deteriorate.
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4
Use a siphon to perform partial water changes at least once a week. You should siphon out roughly 50 percent of the water each time and replace it with treated water.
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Regularly check water parameters with an aquarium water test kit. If any ammonia or nitrites are present, perform extra partial water changes: Also try to keep hardness and alkalinity at around 100 ppm each.
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6
Sit back and watch your snails reproduce. Both ramshorn snails and pond snails will breed profusely, if provided with plenty of food and clean water conditions.
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Tips & Warnings
Often considered pests, many pet stores do not sell either pond or ramshorn snails. However, you can often get them for free as hangers-on when buying live aquarium plants.
When selecting snails to feed your puffer fish, choose specimens that are about the size of its eye.
If your puffer does not show interest in feeder snails, try crushing them up prior to feeding.
Do not feed the first generation of feeder snails to your fish, as they might carry harmful parasites.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit puffer image by cherie from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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How often will the snails need eat?
