Snails can become an unpleasant thing once they start to spread too much. Remember, bettas are carnivores, so if theyre hungry enough, snails will definitely turn up on the menu. As far as not putting him in a community tank bc he likes to eat snails.I had(he passed over the weekend) a betta in my 55g tank see sig. I think this is causing him to get constipated and bloated, and when he does poop he poops large balls (1.5x-2x the size of his eye) that have anywhere from 2-5 little snail shells in them. There are some snail species that you should avoid adding to your Betta fish tank. Instead of you going through the agonizing process of removing them yourself, these fish do all the heavy lifting! Giant Betta Fish (Betta Anabatoides) Facts & Profile. Its technically possible for a snail to kill a Betta fish, but its very unlikely. Pond snails are good at aerating the substrate and they often burrow, which helps to keep the substrate loose. I didnt feed that tank for two whole months, and there was no other snail for it to snack on, and yet it survived. You can feed them vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, cauliflower or greens. A few years ago, I had a tank that I left devoid of fish after one of my Bettas passed away. Mystery Snails have plenty of color variants, so you can find one that matches your bettas coloration. Bettas arent typically passive fish and will also attack snails when they arent well-fed. Nerite Snails are another good snail for beginner fishkeepers. Snails are noted for their ability to eat any material at the bottom of the tank and are often considered good tank cleaners. There are plenty of benefits to adding snails to your Betta fish tank. I have a mystery snail and, Nerite doing his job. If you have a problem with algae in your tank, adding a few snails is a great way to help keep it under control. In fact, I can personally attest to this. Bettas prefer foods of animal origin, such as daphnia, bloodworms, and brine shrimp, and they like to feed on the surface. However, you still need to be careful with snails in your tank, as they might get attacked by the bettas, or you might see the population grow uncontrollably. These snails are a good choice if you have the time and dont mind breeding snails that need a little extra care. Bettas have small mouths are likely wont be able to fit the snail inside. It might also be a good idea to place snail traps into the tank, which will catch the snails and you will be able to remove them. One of the most common reasons people add snails to their aquarium is because they help reduce algae. I'm just going to assume I should keep my dude solitary and not consider him for a community tank. 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. That's way too much food.Once a day is sufficent. Yes, Betta fish will eat snails if given a chance. 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? *whew*, My little nerite loves to explore in fact I found him hanging upside down on the tank lid he also got in my filter right now he's in my tower if you want to know more you can see his thread although it has more about my betta then him. How Many Fish Can Be In A 20-Gallon Tank? A 20-25-gallon tank will fit a small group of fish like tetras and danios with your betta. Apple snails are interesting-looking snails that can make your betta fish tank more lively and interesting. A temperature of around 78F will suit both your Betta and your snail well. Fishfur. 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. This size tank can house five to 15 large snails. Do Bettas Ever Try To Eat Other Fish In Their Aquarium? However, there are a few things to keep in mind. This means that you wont have to do as many water changes to keep them healthy. Overall, snails and betta fish can live together in the same aquarium without harming each other, and the snails shell offers them protection from being eaten by a betta fish. The problem with these snails is that they can overcrowd your tank if they spread too much, leading to them becoming pests rather than pets. An extremely docile snail can also be targeted by an aggressive betta. It is especially true if your betta has a bit of an attitude problem. By day, Kelly is a corporate analyst, but by night she's a long-time fishkeeper. He ate them! If you are worried about your betta fish eating snails in the aquarium, it is better to choose snails that are larger and avoid keeping hatchling snails in the same tank as betta fish. Aquarium Labs is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. My betta bit off both of my snail's antennas but they're growing back. XD Betta Fish:Salsa, Duck, Blueberry, El Chapo, Trotsky,Lemon Siberian Huskies: Kapu & Lakota . How Many Mystery Snails Can Live In The Same Tank Per Gallon? These are much easier to come by. Would nerite snails need a heater in a separate tank? If you do decide to add an apple snail to your tank, make sure its a smaller one. However, sadly sometimes, your betta will still end up attacking your snail. My betta, Pomegranate, has been eating pond snail shells. Theyre also known to nibble on Java Ferns, but not other plants, strangely enough. Betta fish are notorious for trying to eat anything that catches their eye, and this goes for snails too. Betta fish will eat hatchling snails as these snails are small and soft enough to fit into their mouths. Let's see if someone else has a better answer, sorry. Manage Settings It is far more difficult to consume larger snails. Of course, if there are more than one male bettas, youre going to need a larger tank. With time they fade, but the snails lay . They require the same water temperature and pH as betta fish, meaning you dont have to worry about special tank treatment to meet their requirements. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Dont worry if your rabbit snail goes missing, because often they will bury themselves into the substrate. In fact, their minimum preferred pH is already on the high end of a Bettas optimal pH range. If you are wanting to feed snails to your betta fish, keep in mind that snails arent the best snack for betta fish, and your betta should be eating a staple pellet food specifically formulated for betta fish, alongside freeze-dried or live foods like worms or crustaceans. Jun 27, 2006. When he started getting sick 4 days ago, it got noticeably bigger and it looked like . They help keep your aquarium spotless even with minimal manual cleaning. Although they may lay eggs in your aquarium water, the eggs typically dont reach the hatching stage. Its weird because my betta doesnt flare at all. What's neat is that these fish are more than just snail killers. Because of this, its best to add them to a tank that doesnt have any strong currents. Hepper.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. If you see a cluster of eggs in your Betta tank, you can simply use a flat object to scrape them off. Hepper is reader-supported. These three types of snails require similar water and pH as a betta, so you can introduce them easily. Well is your betta the only fish in the tank? Assassin snails are difficult to keep, but that doesnt mean you should worry. Secondly, even if your Betta is interested in eating snails, theyre not likely to be able to eat a full-grown adult snail. I wouldn't be too quick about removing them. Snails add interest to your tank. If the snail is tiny enough, then yes! Rabbit snails will eat any leftover food from your betta fish, but will also chew on plants, so watch out for that. To prevent or treat constipation, like Rowangel said. Trapdoor snails get their name from the fact that they have a trapdoor on their shell. 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). Larger species of snails are a better option for betta fish, as they are too big to seem like an appealing meal for bettas. One of the best ways to reduce the chance of your betta attacking your snails is to add a lot more decorations to your tank, especially plants. As an aggressive and highly territorial species of fish, it can be challenging to find a good tank mate for your betta. The information and material found on this website is intended to be used as general guidelines. She currently is interested in veterinary science and ichthyology, which she wants to study alongside her main passion: pet content writing. Im Fabian, aquarium fish breeder and founder of this website. So they will most likely eat the snail in their tank. 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). Since theyre pretty big, they also prefer bigger tanks. Snails are natural scavengers and are known for their ability to clean up uneaten food and waste in aquariums, including betta tanks. I have a betta and a black mystery snail together in a 2.5 gallon tank. 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? If you intend to keep more snails in your tank, you must be a dedicated aquarium hobbyist ready to constantly clean the tank. This is why its important to acclimate them slowly when you add them to your tank. The Complete Guide On Caring For Betta Fish. Dont miss out on valuable tips! By doing this, youre going to make it a lot more likely that your snail will stay out of your bettas line of sight, and if your betta doesnt notice your snail, then they wont attack them! These snails dont require much upkeep and will thrive under ideal tank conditions. Male and female bettas are equally territorial, but males are more aggressive than their lady friends. 5 Reasons Why & What to Do. Generally, it is recommended to keep larger snail species with the bettas to protect themselves against possible betta attacks. I also feed mine about 5 betta bites a day and feed bloodworms every few days or so. Note that ivory snails can be sensitive to sudden changes in the water as well. When introducing a snail to a betta tank, adding the right one is paramount. 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. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. I keep finding the Tiger nerite snail on it side and the zebra snail hasnt moved in 4 days. I thought it had died months ago because I wasnt able to find it. Aim for pH of around 7.0, which suits both your Betta and your snails. Overall, theres no easy way to determine how an individual betta will react to the company of snails or other fish. 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. Rabbit snails are quite big. Besides, larger snails have a better chance of protecting themselves against a betta or any other predator. Bettas and snails typically cohabit peacefully in the same aquarium, but smaller snails are at risk of being eaten by bettas. My betta, Chewbacca, will attack anything I place in his tank. They are a good size for betta tanks, and their diet of algae and detritus helps to keep the tank clean. If you have concerns about what snail types can/cannot eat betta fish, you can relax. However, there are ways to prevent these carnivorous fish from attacking a snail. As a result, it's crucial to make an effort to get larger snails. Instances of snails feasting on a betta fish are very rare. So it is no surprise that your prized Betta would make every attempt to eat snails. He killed several species of snails (granted they we're pretty small and had their heads extended out of their shell, unlike nerites). 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. It is not uncommon to come across Betta flaring at a snail or incidents where someones Betta ate snail antenna for lunch. Has the tank ever been medicated? Not to often Id say maybe every 8-10 days as long as you dont over feed with wafers. I ended up not getting a new tank. At the same time, Bettas can also survive without eating for weeks. you can check what it covers and a sneak peak here. To add more snails to the aquarium, you need to add 5 gallons per snail. They come in a variety of colors, including red, brown, and green. Some marketing tactics in the pet trade say that Bettas can thrive with a diet of plant roots. Then go about their business. Placing snails in the tank first helps protect them from attacks that would be expected if the betta had already been in the tank for a long time. In this post, well explore whether Bettas can live with snails and other questions you may have regarding this topic. Two months later, I decided to transfer the live plants to another tank. If you are keeping your betta on its own, then it is highly likely that it will be the case. I tried to get a picture of the last one but it disintegrated pretty quickly. They also feed on algae and old food in your tank, so theyll help keep your tank clean. Keeping mystery snails isnt complex as long as theyre adequately fed. Stay on top of dog food recalls here >, Have a question? Theyre more likely to want blood worms, daphnia, and of course, other snails. 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. Pond snails usually thrive the best in pH 7.5, and 70-78F temperature. talk to a vet online for advice >. The information is not intended to constitute professional or medical advice. The best thing about these snails is that they require roughly the same tank conditions as bettas. They dont have any of the traits that can often cause bettas to attack, such as bright colors or long tails. They'll even go after micro organisms growing on plant roots and stems that many people . Today, my betta fish had disappeared over the night. But if your fish has a relatively calm disposition, you can add the snail and observe its reaction. Nerite snails may be the smallest snail on this list, but you shouldnt overlook their small size as theyre the best at removing algae pellets from your tank. By Youll simply have to be observant and take all necessary precautions. Some bettas ignore the snail and some go after it. Their shells are pretty thin at that point, and you already crushed it up for him, so he should be okay. We do our best to help readers take good care of their fish. Let some air between the lid and the water surface. If you want to have a carnivore snail to control your existing snail population, look no further than the assassin snail. Ive been keeping fish, since I was a kid. Pond snails are scavengers and will eat just about anything, including algae, dead plant matter, and uneaten fish food. Should I take the snail out? Ok great I was worried that if you had any fish in the tank that they might be your bettas next meal lol. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Theyre easy to keep with your betta as they can survive under the same tank conditions (pH 7.0-7.5, Temperature: 70 78F) as the betta fish. It's been well over a month since I put the nerite in, and now the betta doesn't bother him at all. This is also why Bettas can become overweight and obese. Are they compatible in this situation. 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. Theyre not as common as some of the other snail species on this list, but theyre still widely available. Multiple snail species can live in a Betta fish tank. Can Black Mystery Snails Eat Betta Fish? Interestingly, Ramshorn Snails is that theyre not the best swimmers. However, this isnt going to be pleasant for them, so if it does happen, you should remove your snail and add them to a safer tank where they have time to heal. Though your betta may nibble at the snail and try to get to the fleshy parts, they often spit it out as they dont like the shells. 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