Loaches Online Forum

Hi everyone, I am brand new to this Forum!

My tank is way over populated with ramshorn snails and am wanting to get rid of them fast before they cause damage.

I understand that clown loaches are the best at devouring them, but I am looking for another type as the clowns are too big and expensive here in SA.

I have introduced 1 mountain loach (do they need company?)

I am also of the understanding that the red tail botia is aggressive and will intimidate the other fish.

Please, any help and suggestions welcome.

what species is your mountain loach and could you post a pic of the fish please, wether it needs company will depend on the species.
as to the snails, you could take as many out as possible manually and reduce feeding to a minimum, then every day after take as many as you can catch when you turn the light on the tank on as they should be nearer the surface.

welcome to LOL and hope you enjoy the site.
mick

will do thanks

There are a few things that influence what kind of fish to get. As you can imagine, most people on this forum don't recommend getting loaches for snail control. Get a loach because you love the loach.

Why do you have a snail explosion? Are you overfeeding? Finding out the reason, can help control the problem.

An easy way to remove them is to put a lettuce leaf in the water, a few hours later scoop the leaf and snails up.

If you want to get a loach or a group of loaches, how big is your tank?

What kind of fish do you have?

What is your tank chemistry? pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, hardness, . . .

What temperature do you keep your tank at?

I like snails. They eat the algae, clean up extra food and feed my loaches. When one tank has too many snails, I scoop them out and put them in a loach tank. Gives the loaches a snack and something to do.