Ideas for large snail eating fish

[A201]

Syncrossus Helodes, the Banded Tiger Loach. The best snail eater I ever kept.
They grow fast & are extremely aggressive.
My Tigers held their own against an adult Rivulatus.

 

[duanes]

I have cleared tanks swarming with MTS using Paretroplus menerambo or maculatus, in 24 hours.
I would sometime move my shoal of Paretroplus tank to tank as snails reproduce.
They would not be geographically correct (being from Madagascar), but from the stock you already have, I see that's not important to you.

P maculatus above
If they can't crush the large snails, they use the can opener like teeth to pull out flesh
P menerambo below.

They get large (over 15"), so need space, and do best in shoals of 3 or more

 

[Andyroo]

Most loaches will prefer a school (5+). Clowns grow slowly but appear to have some chemical defense capacity (not confirmed - anybody want to do an MSc?).
Tigers are faster-growers, but considering the company you might do better with the "bulk" of Y.modesta.

 

[Joshuakahan]

I’ve been looking online and what about a megladorus Irwini?. From what I’m reading, they get big enough and feed on crustaceans.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Me too

What about trying clown loaches

 

[Joshuakahan]

What about trying clown loaches

Thinking about them, but prefer a fish that can be solo rather than a schooling /shoaling type

 

[Deadeye]

A banded leporinus may go after them and doesn’t seem to mind being alone.

 

[Joshuakahan]

A banded leporinus may go after them and doesn’t seem to mind being alone.

I’ve always liked those, but I’ve read they’re kinda nuts and tend to go after eyes. Think they’d do well with my current stock?

 

[Joshuakahan]

I have cleared tanks swarming with MTS using Paretroplus menerambo or maculatus, in 24 hours.
I would sometime move my shoal of Paretroplus tank to tank as snails reproduce.
They would not be geographically correct (being from Madagascar), but from the stock you already have, I see that's not important to you.
View attachment 1464577
P maculatus above
If they can't crush the large snails, they use the can opener like teeth to pull out flesh
P menerambo below.
View attachment 1464578
They get large (over 15"), so need space, and do best in shoals of 3 or more
View attachment 1464579

Those seem pretty cool, do you know where to get them? I’m not seeing these available anywhere

 

[Deadeye]

I’ve always liked those, but I’ve read they’re kinda nuts and tend to go after eyes. Think they’d do well with my current stock?

Depends on how mean the individual is. The average aggression, and even the meaner ones, should be fine. No experience with them and bichirs, but it does well with my cichlids. As long as who it is attacking fights back, it will be okay.

Those seem pretty cool, do you know where to get them? I’m not seeing these available anywhere

I saw maculatus on bluegrass aquatics a while ago. No longer there.