While your betta fish may occasionally eat small hatchling snails, the shells of juvenile or adult snails are too hard for your betta fish to chew through. Yes, betta fish eat snails but not every betta fish likes to eat snails. So if you have a betta tank with hard water, this is a good snail to add. There are many variations and types of rabbit snails, ranging in color and appearance. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'aquariumlabs_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_14',142,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aquariumlabs_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'aquariumlabs_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_15',142,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aquariumlabs_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0_1');.mobile-leaderboard-2-multi-142{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Large snails with pronounced eyes (that resemble worms) should not be kept in the bettas tank, as your betta might attack their eyes. As Ive touched a little bit earlier, Bettas prefer a high protein diet, but there are a couple of reasons they eat snails. Or is your betta fish eating just about anything in your aquarium?if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'aquariumlabs_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_5',135,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aquariumlabs_com-medrectangle-3-0'); In this article, Ill review all you need to know about betta fish and snails and the best type of snails to keep as a betta tank mate. I also feed mine about 5 betta bites a day and feed bloodworms every few days or so. I have those types of nerites in a 75 gal with S/A. This behavior means that they can be the most skilled escape artists in the tank if you want to keep your Nerites inside your aquarium, make sure you seal every potential exit. I got my first pair of goldfishes as my 8th birthday present from my dad.Now, as a 30-something year old, I have multiple tanks of my favorite bettas, guppies, danios, and several tetras at my home in Kentucky.Here's to sharing exciting knowledge about pet fishes with you and our friends all over the world! Remove Your Snail If all else fails, the best thing you can do is remove your snail from the tank. They help keep your aquarium spotless even with minimal manual cleaning. Disclosure: I may earn a commission when you purchase through my affiliate links. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Dont allow them to spread too much, or you will be forced to take measures to cut down their population. Have you seen our Betta Fish E-Book? In this post, well explore whether Bettas can live with snails and other questions you may have regarding this topic. Bettas are incredibly aggressive fish, which has earned them the name: 'Siamese fighting fish'. Then go about their business. read more. best mantra for feeding I would say. They also dont mind munching on the leaves of plants, so be careful if you keep plenty of live plants in your tank. Hepper is reader-supported. I need to put a vinyl background to prevent him from seeing his reflection. Apple snails are interesting-looking snails that can make your betta fish tank more lively and interesting. Its almost like he cant. Therefore, if you intend to house these species together, you should ensure that the snails are capable of reproducing and surviving in the same tank conditions as the betta. If you note that your betta displays traits of aggressiveness, its in your best interest to avoid keeping them with other tank mates. Another common concern people have is whether or not a snail can kill a Betta fish. She's loved fish for as long as she can remember, and she's always taken on more responsibility for her parents' tanks (both freshwater and saltwater). Bettas generally do not discriminate between the different types of snails for their diet. So they will most likely eat the snail in their tank. They are a good size for betta tanks, and their diet of algae and detritus helps to keep the tank clean. However, if you are adamant about putting a snail inside a Bettas tank, there are some neat tricks I want to share to reduce the possibility of your Betta attacking snails: A 5-gallon tank is a minimum size you should consider if you want to share it between Bettas and snails. They are also active snails, so they will provide some movement and interest in the tank. When introducing a snail to a betta tank, adding the right one is paramount. Sarah is residing in South Africa with her partner and pets. My betta bit off both of my snail's antennas but they're growing back. Additionally, theyre used to leaving the water for a few hours every now and then. Also the nerite has full antennae. Rabbit snails will eat any leftover food from your betta fish, but will also chew on plants, so watch out for that. The good news is that an aggressive betta fish might help to prevent a population of these species of snail from overrunning the tank. Otherwise, snails and betta fish can live together peacefully, unless you find that your betta fish nips at the snails antennae which can injure the snail. Plakat Betta Fish: Care Guide, Varieties, Lifespan & More! Remember to always ask a veterinarian for help regarding your pets. Snails can keep algae in check. Sometimes bettas will attack other tank mates because they think they are in their territory. Another might find them an offense to their very being and decide that snail is going down. There are benefits and drawbacks to both options, and its ultimately up to you to decide whats best for your aquarium. In conclusion, while there is a small chance that a snail could kill a Betta fish, its very unlikely and not something you need to worry about. A bonus to keeping snails is that they can make your aquarium more interesting, as you get to observe the snails behavior around the aquarium. Is It Possible For More Than 1 Betta To Live Together? It's not a fatal wound and they really don't need to have them always extended. As we already mentioned, some snail species are more suited for living with the bettas than others. All my previous worries about my new betta being a picky eater and he goes and eats a snail! The substrate is Carribsea moonlight sand and fluval plant&shrimp stratum. This is a quick and straightforward response to this issue. Well it can be good to add some variety to their diet they are carnivores after all Snail's antenna grow back. Lo and behold, I saw my assassin snail perched on the sponge filter. Something to note about nerite snails is that they prefer a higher pH than Betta fish. Theyre also carnivores, which means they could potentially see your Betta as food. It would seem like bettas are champions of eating snails and anything else that moves in their living space. Ramshorn snails are prone to eat plants if placed in tanks with plants in them, though they might survive in a tank without plants as they feed on algae and old food. The number one tip I would suggest to prevent betta from attacking or eating a snail is to avoid putting them in the same tank. That is because they are available in almost every pet shop, and they are also known for their ability to clean up the tank, as they will scavenge around for leftovers and algae. If the snail is tiny enough, then yes! This means that you dont have to worry about them crawling out of the tank and ending up on the floor. Algae can quickly take over your tank if you don't keep it in check, so having a few snails around can be very helpful. Betta fish are carnivores both in captivity and in the wild, which is why they will eat snails in the aquarium. Theyre also active snails, and they can often be seen moving around the tank. Betta fish are strong individuals and they differ in their behaviour and tastes. Here, we will answer this question, and talk more about owning bettas and snails together in the same aquarium. This is at no extra cost to you. So adding snails to the fish tanks was a good option for maintaining . Please leave a comment if you have any question. While bettas vary enormously in their personality and temperament, some betta fish will flare at and attack just about anything that moves in their tank - even a harmless snail! All Rights Reserved. Stay on top of dog food recalls here >, Have a question? Rabbit snails will eat any leftover food from your betta fish, but will also chew on plants, so watch out for that. Will this hurt him? Once the snail leaves his territory, things should go back to normal again! Its technically possible for a snail to kill a Betta fish, but its very unlikely. Not to often Id say maybe every 8-10 days as long as you dont over feed with wafers. One, Bettas are natural carnivores, so they like feeding on smaller crustaceans, insects, and insect larva. One of the main concerns people have about adding snails to a Betta fish tank is whether or not the Betta will eat the snail. just watched my betta charge a bladder snail, break through its shell, and thrash around with it until he had sucked the snail out. Rowangel, bettas are insectivores, veggies (you suggested peas) probably give very little benifit to them, and should not be a regular part of thier diet; feed veggies to bettas no more then about once every three months, preferably less. 7 Ways To Stop Brown Algae In Your Fish Tank & 6 Causes, 4 Reasons Your Female Bettas Are Fighting (& 7 Ways To Stop, 10 Ways To Get Rid Of Snails In An Aquarium (& Why They're, How Big Do Aquarium Snails Get? Nerites are hardy little guys. As you can deduce from its name, assassin snails eat other snails and are the best snails you can turn to when other snails are overcrowding your tank. Lastly, most Bettas will only eat snails if theyre hungry. What's neat is that these fish are more than just snail killers. (All Snails Included), Do Betta Fish Get Bored? AquariaCentral.com, a division of Monster Aquaria Network, LLC. Many people are worried that because bettas are territorial and will eat just about anything, they will also eat their snails. I just put it in, and George has taken to swimming around for a bit, then biting the snail, and repeating this every few minutes. Your email address will not be published. Rowangel, bettas are insectivores, veggies (you suggested peas) probably give very little benifit to them, and should not be a regular part of thier diet; feed veggies to bettas no more then about once every three months, preferably less. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Fishkeeping Wisdom is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and any other affiliated sites. One thing you can do is to manually remove them from the tank. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I've never heard of a Nerite being killed by a Betta. Is your tank cycled? Assassin snails reproduce slowly and can still survive on the food in your tank, meaning you can keep them even when you dont have snails in your tank. Ideal Water Parameters for Goldfish: 5 Measurements You Need to Know! I've yet to see anything in a tank that eats Nerite eggs. This is another snail species that can grow to be quite large, sometimes reaching lengths of 6 inches. 25 Fish/Critters That Can Eat Betta Food (& 2 That Dont)8 Reasons Why Your Betta Stays At The Top Of The Tank (+Fix)4 Reasons Why Betta Fish Spits Food Out (+ How To Fix). However, one male betta and two betta females in a 10-gallon tank can also comfortably accommodate a couple of snails. By day, Kelly is a corporate analyst, but by night she's a long-time fishkeeper. These small fish are notorious for being aggressive and territorial fish, thus making the betta fish a bad choice for community aquariums. So keeping a sand or other light substrate into your betta fish tank is the best choice for these snails. The bettas territorial nature extends to its own species, as both female and male bettas cant co-exist as tank mates. You should be feeding your betta 1-2 pellets twice a day, as well as supplementation with live, frozen, and freeze-dried food to make sure theyre getting all the nutrients they need in their diet! Do Snails Eat Algae In A Betta Fish Tank? Mystery snails require a similar water pH at 7.0-7.5, temperature between 68-82 degrees fahrenheit, and regular day and night cycles just like your betta fish. How Many Mystery Snails Can Live In The Same Tank Per Gallon? Most bettas are noted to be curious marine animals and would likely eat anything in the tank if given a chance, so yes, bettas eat snails. The snails can also hide in the aquatic plants, which will allow them to become better tank mates to the betta. Because Bettas are natural carnivores and prefer a diet rich in protein. If you liked this article, make sure you check out the rest of the website. I have an. I also started to notice some algae on his glass, so I put in 2 of the small pond snails from my 20g. Your snail won't be as active as your betta, but they can be very active when they are feeding and in an exploring mood. If you have a lot of snails in your tank, you can be sure that your assassin snail will be more than happy to help you control their population. In the wild, nerite snails live in brackish waters, or waters that are a mix of fresh and salt water. See The Most Compatible Species Here, Can Betta Fish Live With Goldfish? Ramshorn Snails are a good choice for beginner aquarists who want to add some interest to their tank. At the same time, Bettas can also survive without eating for weeks. we have put together what we consider to be the Ultimate Betta Care Guide that covers all the essentials and more! Betta fish are notorious for trying to eat anything that catches their eye, and this goes for snails too. This extreme pattern in their diet has always been a mystery to me. When introducing a snail to a betta tank, adding the right one is paramount. However, these should only be feed to large species, not small ones. The answer is snails. That is because of their ability to clean your tank of algae very effectively, which makes them a very popular species. Something to keep in mind is that Japanese Trapdoor Snails are a bit more sensitive to changes in water quality than some of the other snail species on this list. my plecos get an alternating diet of wafers, bloodworms, and fresh greens once a day. The only way a snail could kill a Betta fish is if the snail was carrying a disease that the Betta fish is susceptible to. Learn more. It's not all that unusual for them to mouth the snail poo to see if it's edible. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Although you can keep them in a 5-gallon tank if you wish, they would do better in a larger tank of at least 10 to 15 gallons. You must log in or register to reply here. Featured Image Credit: ANURAK PONGPATIMET, Shutterstock, 7 Causes of Aggressive Goldfish Behavior & How to Stop It, Goldfish Growth: Average Size & How Big They Can Get, Is Your Goldfish Turning White? They will eat any algae that grows on your plants and decor, and they will also eat uneaten fish food. Well, it is not attacks in its common meaning of the word, but it is more like curiosity that bettas display towards new things in the tank. Dont worry if your rabbit snail goes missing, because often they will bury themselves into the substrate. A few years ago, I had a tank that I left devoid of fish after one of my Bettas passed away. Overall, theres no easy way to determine how an individual betta will react to the company of snails or other fish. Can Betta Fish Live with Snails. Because of this, its best to add them to a tank that doesnt have any strong currents. Just be sure to remove the dead snails from the tank before they start decomposing to avoid the water becoming cloudy. Male and female bettas are equally territorial, but males are more aggressive than their lady friends. Another way to prevent this is by getting a snail species that are too large or have too strong shells that the bettas can crack. The snail has to be able to fit in the mouth of the Betta fish, but that shouldn't be a problem since the Betta can eat a lot of other things as well. Snail-eating fish are one of the best ways to get rid of snails in your aquarium. All Rights Reserved. Please place the snail at the one corner of the tank and within 48 hours and any snail didn't move. The information is not intended to constitute professional or medical advice. I would just watch for signs of bloat, and fast or give him daphnia if need be- the little piggy might've gotten a taste for snail meat. Has the tank ever been medicated? In fact, one of the main reasons people add snails to their aquarium is because they help reduce algae. Although they may lay eggs in your aquarium water, the eggs typically dont reach the hatching stage. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Luckily, there are some things that you can do to reduce the population of snails in your tank easily. #2. If you have soft water, youll need to supplement their diet with calcium. Shoaling fish are typically required to live in groups of six to eight. If you have a Betta tank, you might be wondering, Can betta fish live with snails?. After all, it is a favorite bait for catfish anglers. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'aquariumlabs_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_19',147,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aquariumlabs_com-narrow-sky-1-0'); Tiny snails are more likely to be eaten by a betta than large ones. Since they like burrowing in the substrate, they improve aeration and even benefit your live plants. They reproduce very, very quickly and can take over your tank in no time. Jun 27, 2006. They'll even go after micro organisms growing on plant roots and stems that many people . 5 Reasons Why & What to Do. An extremely docile snail can also be targeted by an aggressive betta. For a limited time, only you can get bothThe Complete Guide On Caring For Betta Fish&The Ultimate Betta Tank Mate Guidefor just $14.99! In addition, these snails do not reproduce as quickly, which eliminates the problem of overpopulation. These snails can be harmful to your Betta or they can just be a general nuisance. One of the best things about pond snails is that theyre not very sensitive to changes in water parameters. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. If you have plastic plants, they will be perfectly fine, and the snails will feed on algae and the leftover foods. Yes, bettas are very likely to eat the snail eggs in your tank. So if you notice bullying and attacking happening, do the following! One of the reasons that your betta might be attacking snails in your tank is because theyre hungry. Bettas often attempt to eat the eye stalks of larger snails, like mystery snails, thinking they are worms, but they don't try to eat big snails specifically. Pond snails are known for being good at reproducing, so if you have a pond snail in your tank, you can be sure that there will be more before long. There are plenty of benefits to adding snails to your Betta fish tank. The nerite snail is a freshwater snail that can be kept in most tanks. You can also keep plants in your tank to provide ample hiding places for your snails, as the betta cant eat what it doesnt see. Introducing snails first to the tank is another tip to limit the risk to the snails. I ended up not getting a new tank. Can Betta Fish Live With Snails? Adding a snail to your bettas tank can often seem like a great idea. This will prevent them from taking over your aquarium and stressing their tank mates. This also explains why the primary Betta feed you get in stores is sourced from animal protein. While theyre not as good at cleaning the tank as some of the other snails on this list, they can still help to keep the tank clean by eating algae and detritus. They top the list in terms of reproduction activity, as they can steadily reproduce once well-fed and tank conditions are ideal. Betta fish is a carnivorous animal, while mystery snail prefers to feed on algae. When he started getting sick 4 days ago, it got noticeably bigger and it looked like . The apple snails are hungry snails and they like eating greens and vegetables. Instances of snails feasting on a betta fish are very rare.
