Lets talk about Snails and Loaches Baby

[J-Aqua]

HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL! Got a couple questions hoping you guys and gals and give me your recommendation and or expert advise. I have four wonderful Yoyo loaches in a 75gal been living in there happily for about 2 years. They're around 3+ inches. I've always thought snails would be super cool to have in my tank but I am unsure how this would work out. My loaches IMO define the word scavengers I could hide a piece of zuchini under some driftwood and they would find it in 1 second and chow it down. I would be rather dissapointed if I come home to find just a shell in the tank... I am unfamiliar with types of snails but I'd like something that wouldn't get to large, but definitely not to small. My OTHER question is they will be housed with a hopeful pair of Herichthys Labridens 'Media Luna' (CA Cichlid) as well as some SAE's would the snails survive with them as well?

Last question I just picked up a bunch of MTS (Approx 200) from my LFS. They're in a 10gal, and I wanted to put half in the tank as food. Would they just destroy and devour all the MTS in a day? Seems like I can never satisfy their bellies even when they look like they're going to POP!

Season Greetings From YOmama!

 

[ewurm]

I've never had a single snail survive with loaches. Some have, but not me. I think your MTS wouldn't last long. Great Yoyo loach!

 

[Lupin]

None of the snails will last long for a long time, sorry. I keep snails and loaches, both being my primary focus but I keep them separated in their own tanks. The only loaches that will work with several snails are kuhlis, hillstreams and dojos.

 

[J-Aqua]

Thanks for the info. Put in a dozen mts tonight and they were gone within 5 mins no snails, only for food

J

 

[aidenb]

my clowns ate a mystery snail that was almost as big as them so i dont put snails in that tank anymore

 

[srikamaraja]

Loaches have evolved as opportunistic predators of mollusks. If there were any doubt, try adding some clams or scallops to their diet. Hillstream loaches will be safe with snails, but they are not true loaches. (At least the Balitoridae. Lizard loaches are true loaches).