They eat insectlarvae and small crustaceans such as snails and worms. However, like all sunfishes found in North America, it lives near shallow waters and preys on snails, sinking worms, and crustaceans. Size: 1-1.5 inches. 4. Lets take a look at some of the best ways to avoid this problem before it starts. They are known to eat both small and large snails. Avoid overfeeding your fish as leftover food will allow the snail population to grow. Aquarium Store Depotis 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. The Goldfish is a popular choice for beginner fish keepers because of its low maintenance requirements and easy adaptability to various aquariums. Throughout the night, the fish feed on insects, insect larvae, worms, snails, invertebrates, and small fish. Updated, 30th July 2022. The Koi is a complex, highly valued ornamental fish that originated in China. We seek to promote and sell equipment that works and understand that sometimes these will be products we do not carry so we are happy to part folks in the right direction :). This allows for ASD to promote items that are more effective to promote via Amazon versus selling on this site due to shipping costs, the vendor's choice to only carry through Amazon, or order minimums. Snails do an excellent job of cleaning up leftover fish food and waste in the tank. Hatchling snails may also dig into the substrate and remain undetected for a while. Pro tip: If your rainbow shark refuses to eat, remember to keep an eye out for fish poop. Doing daily water changes. Some aquarists get the help of snail-eating fish to get rid of the pest snails in their aquariums. They have stunning colors including, blue, gold, white and even tiger striped patterning. They spit 90% of the shell and some amount goes to their stomach with the flesh. If that is too difficult to go through with, you can place the Ziploc bag of eggs in the freezer for 3 days and then thrown away in an airtight container. Their head is the opposite, displaying cooler blues, greens, or purples. However, as Goldfish are not big species, you cannot use them to get rid of larger snails. Gouramis would not be your first choice when picking out a snail-eating fish, but they can definitely help! Do Rainbowfish eat snails? I have no experience with snails but I know that my Rainbow pretty much asserted himself as ruler from day one. It's important to remember when you buy an snail that it's going to grow larger than common snails. Difficulty: Beginner. It reaches lengths of between 3 inches to 4 inches. They are also a great source for freshwater shrimp! Is Eating Fish Daily Good For Health? Everything You Need to Know! Although it is hard to crush the shells, they still try to get at the fleshy parts of your snail. Small, microscopic snail eggs may enter your aquarium when you put aquarium plants without monitoring. Although that may not kill the animal, they may be stressed out. Snail-eating fish are quite simply fish species that love to feed on snails. Assassin snails are a good alternative to fish and sometimes do a better job at it than most fish. Many popular aquarium fish eat snails. Zebra loaches need the company of their own species so make sure you pick up at least 5 or 6. In their natural environment, the fish emerge from their hiding places to hunt once the sun has set. Nerite Snails. They are classified as carnivores and they do not have a picky appetite at all. Betta fish, for example, often nip at aquarium snails. Think carefully before adding this snail species to your freshwater aquarium though. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. They feed off dead plants that would otherwise be left in the water to decay which will result in high levels of ammonia. They can consume hatchlings that have soft shells, or they will rip at a snail so that they can eat the soft body of adult snails. Rainbowfish Study. However, slightly larger snails can pose a danger to the goldfish since goldfish can choke on them. Like a peacock, when the male shows off his fins it is an impressive site to see. These are such fish species that eat snails. Any strong opinions on the ethics of long-fin varieties of fish? Scouts honor . Angelfish tend to eat the eyestalks of snails too. These snails need to lay their eggs above the water surface, so you can often prevent them from breeding by keeping your aquarium full. They are easily satisfied with the food that is fed to them, though may also occasionally snack on the algae present in the tank. The Striped Raphael is peaceful by nature and makes an ideal pet for beginner aquarists. Koi. They occasionally eat snail eggs as they search for food. . The Convict Cichlid is a carnivore that primarily eats crustaceans such as bloodworms, hermit crabs, and shrimp but will also eat aquatic invertebrates like insects, mollusks, and other small fish. Most of the fish listed above do not take snails as their main diet. In the wild, neon tetras live around ten years, which is twice the amount for those . The most important thing to remember when choosing a snail for your aquarium is that they need to be able to burrow into the substrate. One other fact about Balloon Molly fish is they are truly man-made and a result of selective breeding to have scoliosis. 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You must consider the species of the shrimp and the size before putting fish in a community tank to eat snails. Is it a new shark? They not only enjoy the taste of snails, but they will chew on the shells. Squirrels, shrews, mice, salamanders, toads, turtles, birds, and ground-foragers are some of the predator species of snails and slugs. They also eat algae, snails, fish and fish eggs, leeches, small fish, and side swimmers. There are several white markings on their head and body which give them their name polka dots. Just like turret snails, ramshorn snails are similar in size and lifespan. If the fish's body is still intact it will start with some easy to get at morsels like the fins and eyes. Yes, of course, crayfish eat pest snails. Austin, Texas 78750. Further, though snails are able to carry diseases and even parasites, not all snails are afflicted with this. In fact, they are the only species of fish in the world that can eat all . In fact, freshwater snails are great for keeping your aquarium clean and healthy. So, if you have a large tank with lots of fish, its not a bad idea to add some snail food to your tank. The shell is composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) and calcium phosphate (P 2 O 5 ). However, they are aggressive ambush predators, and when they get a little bigger, you might notice . Snails will also not hesitate to approach and eat rotting skin or flesh of weak and sick fish that do not move around. January 12, 2021 By Fly Fisherman Staff. In captivity, however, Bala sharks have been known to eat snails and earthworms as well as prepared food such as frozen brine shrimp or bloodworms. The snails they are most likely to eat are nerites, ramshorn, bladder, and apple snail hatchlings. A fully grown one is going to have a much better chance of defending themselves than the little snails. This fish is a variation of the clown loach. These are aggressive and large tropical fish that range from a variety of species. Some aquarists get the help of snail-eating fish to get rid of the pest snails in their aquariums. They can nip the eyestalks of snails. They scavenge for snails amongst the substrate or on plants. A recent study, highlighted by the European Zoo Nutrition Center, established that land-dwelling insects comprise 40% of the diet of wild Australian Rainbowfishesmore than any other food group. Some snail-eating fish such as puffer fish spit the snail shells out after eating the whole snail. Lets run through some of the worst and best aquarium snails that are kept in freshwater aquariums. In the wild, crayfish are natural predators of nerite snails. They do not eat large snails like mystery or apple snails. Loaches and puffer fish are some of the best fish species for controlling snail populations in freshwater aquariums. Not only does their small size make them extremely vulnerable, they do not have claws or any other . How Should I Introduce My Puppy to a Dominant Dog? However, Goldfish prefer cold water that is lower on the hardness scale. Gourami primarily feeds on small snails, eggs, and hatchlings. Do you have any suggestions on what would work for our tank? These guys do a solid job of general tank maintenance all around, and so they are always a good fish to have in a community tank. later in the afternoon i saw they were all upside down except for one. You may not see that they are eating snails, but notice that there are not any snail eggs in the tank, which means the loaches probably ate them during the night and might have even consumed the smallest grown snails. 1. Even in the wild, snails are not likely to eat fish. If you need to keep snails with the Koi fish you should select large snails which are really larger than their mouths. State College, PA. Feb 24, 2007. You may find it hard to believe that these beautiful creatures are one of the most prolific predators for snails! Therefore, they have a short lifespan with a life full of colors and patterns. Goldfish can be kept alone too, so dont worry if you dont have the room for a large group. Goldfish Growth: Average Size & How Big They Can Get, 25 Great Nano Fish for Small Fish Tanks (with Pictures), Why Do Fish Jump Out Of Their Tanks? Hepper is reader-supported. By The Nerite snails quickly became popular in the aquarium trade as both the saltwater and the freshwater species are pretty hardy and because they are perfect algae eaters. Assassin snails are another great option because they eat other snails. Actually, snails are good food for ghost knife fish. Aquarium Substrate For Live Plants: A Quick Guide, Dark Start Method For Aquarium | Step-By-Step Guide |, Biofilm On Top Of Aquarium Water (Nothing To Worry). The pea puffers natural diet consists of small snails. They eat the snails on certain occasions and the size of the snails must fit their mouths. I have no experience with snails but I know that my Rainbow pretty much asserted himself as ruler from day one. Goldfish will eat the whole snail and not spit the shell again. Your frog might decide to feed on the tasty shrimp, especially the baby shrimp. Crayfish. They're active, brightly colored, inexpensive, and simple to maintain. He could be picky a used fish food. They are not considered real snail eaters yet. Chemicals like copper sulfate can be highly effective for killing snails, but they can also be very dangerous for your shrimp. On many occasions, they do not eat snails as their main meals. Malaysian trumpet are commonly thought of as pest snails because their population does get quite high in most tanks. The following common snail species are usually to blame for snail infestations: A few snails that are found in aquariums are actually great pets that do not multiply at all. They are the captains of the clean-up crew! Pros. You can consider adding larger shrimp species with smaller snail-eating fish. In the aquarium, they like to eat high-quality artificial food, but it is important not to over-feed and use food that is slowly sinking. A large tank or open water environment will do fine, but they can be kept in tanks as small as 20 liters. Tank size: 5 gallons (19 liters) Temperature: 68-82F (10-28C) Care level: easy. If you have a 10 gallon aquarium, then you should have at least a 20 gallon tank for this fish, which will allow you to have more fish to feed them. In the wild, rainbow fish eat a variety of foods including tadpoles, insects and very small fish, as well as plants and algae. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "aafb7b6dc17fabe9598b4f44d3e9cc69" );document.getElementById("c8f286cabb").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Get the latest on sales, new posts, and new videos! Rainbow trout are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. Yes, Oscar fish are considered to be the most enthusiastic snail eaters. The Black Ghost Knifefish is a carnivore. 8 Conclusion. Because of the size and color, they are frequently kept as pets, living in aquariums. The following fish have been identified as effective snail eaters that can be kept in both ponds and tanks by many experienced fish keepers. Goldfish can certainly consume snails if the snails are small enough to swallow. They tend to grow anywhere between 1.6 to 2 inches long. They probably will not eat snails, though some say they will eat small ones. Since the shell of the baby, snails are soft, and their size is small, tetras tend to swallow the snails. It is a social fish that prefers to be kept in groups. Fish of the Month, Pet of the Month. In the wild, its main diet consists of bony fishes; it is an aggressive predator and will target other fish. Are Rainbowfish Australian schools fish? Most aquatic snails are beneficial to aquariums because they are detritivores. You may need to add a few more fish to clear the pond of all the snails. The snails will enter but be unable to leave and you can then remove them and rehome the snails. The Yoyo Loachs natural diet consists mainly of snails, insects, and small vertebrates, but it can be kept in an aquarium with other small fish provided they have adequate space. pH: 7.0 - 7.5. Most snail eaters also eat snail eggs too. They reach large sizes, and an adult can fit a full grow mystery snail in their mouth. Bala sharks are huge fish though so dont bring one home unless you have a tank of at least 120 gallons. It is rich with protein - 32% and contains wheat flour, wheat germ, fish meal, spinach, alfalfa, spirulina, seaweed, vitamins, and natural alder and willow wood. What Do Rainbow Trout Eat? Whatever the situation, getting rid of snails is a true uphill battle. All mature Foxes are territorial and can be extremely aggressive, and if they meet snails that come across their territory they will definitely kill them. Rainbow kribensis sometimes eat snails; Gourami's sometiems eat snails; There are other species of fish that people tend to relate to eating snails. Their dorsal fin is tall and pointed, while their anal fin is shorter but fatter. Boeseman's Rainbowfish Stats. Lets learn about some of the best fish that eat snails. Besides, if your fish feed does not contain all the nutrition they need or if it is not enough to meet their requirements, they tend to eat snails or other small living creatures in your aquarium. In the wild, they are a natural predator of snails, who help control pest populations in gardens and crops. The yoyo loach is a medium-sized fish that will be a great option in medium to large aquariums. The betta fish has evolved into many different colors and patterns, but the basic body shape remains unchanged. ). Nevertheless, larger shrimp can live with the fish species that eat snails. When Red Ramshorn snails rise to the surface to breathe, they can be captured using a net. Size: 6 inches. Do Rainbow fish eat snails? Add a few other potential treats, like wafers, and give the fish only one of the treats every other day. Place the snail in a bowl of water. But i cant keep doing that every week. I have heard of some Boesemani's eating snails, but this is an exception rather than a rule. So you tropical pond enthusiasts have a great deal to choose from. AQ UA R IA W ISE Best Fish to Keep With Shrimp in a Freshwater Tank. Snail eggs can be disposed of by blunt force. Bala sharks are another freshwater fish species that can be very helpful for keeping snail numbers under control. Goldfish are omnivores, which means that they will typically eat algae, snails and other aquatic insects, crustaceans, worms, small fish and shellfish. . However, snails have a hard shell out of their body and Bettas barely crush it. It is important to determine the type of snail in your aquarium before you can find the right type of fish that will eat them or their eggs. Larger snails have harder shells. Keep in mind that the fish may take a while to remove snails and the whole population may not be completely gone. That would be a good idea. If you dont already have snails in your aquarium, you probably want to keep it that way! Further, shrimp is the main food in the aquatic industry. They might generally eat small snails in the wild, but in a tank. You must log in or register to reply here. Did you know that goldfish love to eat small snails and snail eggs? They do not eat larger snails and find no interest in snail eggs. However, aquarium snails tend to be safe from spreading diseases to other tank inhabitants. They eat snails in your aquarium as they are notpicky eaters and will curiously munch on almost anything. Apple snails are sold being quite small (about 2.5 cm or 1 inch in diameter), but they may grow to be up to 7.5 . 6. Snails can negatively affect many aquatic environments. Do you have a snail problem in your African cichlid tank? These popular small fish are perfect for nano tanks that have a large snail population. You will need to feed your snails a calcium rich diet to ensure their shell stays healthy. This means that they need to be able to regulate their internal temperature to avoid overheating. These fish are like your typical sucker fish but with more of a coolness factor, and they are smaller to boot. No, the hard shell of any snail will make it impossible for a rainbow shark to eat. Controlling snails in your freshwater aquarium can seem like a bit of an uphill battle sometimes. They primarily eat small snails, eggs, and hatchlings. In addition to the shells, the snail also has a thick layer of mucus on its surface that protects it from the harsh environment in which it lives. Adult bettas will eat small hatchlings and bladder snails. Many freshwater fish will eat snails, but some target this food source more specifically. Goldfish Best for Large Tanks/Ponds. Feed rainbows a varied, nutrient-rich diet. Adding fish can be a great option, but only if youre sure your tank is suitable for them and that they will get along with the other fish you already have. today i received 5 nerite snails. Fish of the Month, Pet of the Month and more! Therefore, most varieties of tetras will peacefully coexist with snails. Usually, Angelfish do not eat snails as their mouths are too small to swallow the snails. Dwarf chains are very small loaches which means they can be kept in a tank as small as 20 gallons. Ghost Shrimp are small, so they are easy prey. So, while rainbow sharks may consume algae, they are primarily omnivorous and will likely eat a more substantial diet that includes meat. Many freshwater fish will eat snails, but some target this food source more specifically. Fish of the Month, Pet of the Month. These classic freshwater aquarium fish are omnivores, which means theyll eat just about anything that will fit in their mouths, snails included. Their environment must have a specific gravity between 1.005 and 1.20. The snails that we keep in our aquariums are generally quite peaceful. These are usually dug into the substrate. They hunt and primarily feed on other snails. The spearer mantis shrimp live to eat the soft-bodied prey such as fish, worms and said. Clea helena is an assassin snail that feeds exclusively on other snails. Any area of your aquarium they can swim around will be sufficient, they often prefer to stay in the mid or upper level of an aquarium. If they can catch the hatchlings, they will also eat them but due to their large size they struggle to reach into small spaces where hatchlings hide in. If given the chance, they will eat your snails too. Woods should be soaked in boiling water to remove eggs and any snail hitchhikers. Therefore, it is advised to put adult and large species of snails in the tank of Bettas if you need to keep your snails protected. Some pest snails such as the bladder snail can produce hundreds of babies that clutter the tank or pond and make it unenjoyable to view. Snails are slow-moving animals and fish can get them easily. The only problem is the shell outside them. Convict Cichlid ( Amatitlania nigrofasciata) Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons. It uses the same diet as other snails and it can be kept in any area of the aquarium provided it has plenty of swimming space. in size. For example loaches (clown, yoyo and dwarf chain), gourami, dwarf rainbow fish, puffer fish are all eager ramshorn snail eaters. The rainbow trout is not a picky eater and will eat insects, small fish, and even mice! Appearance: small, slim-bodied fish that has a blue stripe that goes from the nose to about of the way down the body and a red stripe that runs from the dorsal fin to the tail. However, they are a useful and beneficial snail to have in the planted tank. You can find 5 main types of trout movement that are called: A bulge or swirl this occurs as looking for snail or shrimp, In the wild, they often consume shrimp, snails, and insects. I have exactly the same thing going on. These peaceful fish can be pretty boisterous so they might intimidate shy tank mates. Trouts would even eat snails off the riverbed! The betta fish is a tropical fish that originates in Thailand. To make a homemade snail trap, get a piece of cucumber, banana skin or lettuce and let it sink to the bottom of the tank. In the natural environment, they eat insects, worms, or smaller fish to fulfill their requirement. hey- thanks. The Threadfin Rainbow gets his name from the graceful, elegant flowing fins. It can grow to lengths of up to 2.5 inches, but the average size for one in the home tank is around 1 inch. Zebra Loaches are sometimes mistaken as betta Fish due to their similar appearance; however, there are significant differences between the two. Try to feed your shark in tiny pieces. How long do rainbow fish live in captivity? I am a passionate fish keeper, with10 years of experience. They will not chase or attack the other inhabitants of their tank unless they are stressed out. In a pond, there's bound to be plenty of aquatic invertebrates such as snails and insects such as mosquitoes for them to eat. Generally peaceful, the Rainbow Darter fish will chase and eat all the snails that may be populating your aquarium. Green spotted puffers are such a kind of puffer fish. . Snails are considered a perfect snack for Oscar fish. What Animals Eat Snails? Moreover, for some fish species, eating shells is a dietary need. Be unable to leave and you can not use them to get of... Bettas barely crush it likely eat a more substantial diet that includes meat you. In most tanks leave and you can then remove them and rehome the snails Threadfin rainbow gets his from. From their hiding places to hunt once the sun has set eating,. Listed above do not eat larger snails can pose a danger to goldfish! Pet of the Month, Pet of the fish emerge from their hiding places to hunt once the sun do rainbow fish eat snails. Snails tend to be the most enthusiastic snail eaters that can be highly for... Food will allow the snail shells out after eating the whole snail and not the... Substrate and remain undetected for a large tank or open water environment will fine... A Dominant Dog ( P 2 O 5 ) be able to regulate their internal Temperature to avoid this before... Amount for those are truly man-made and a result of selective breeding have! Of tetras will peacefully coexist with snails tall and pointed, while their anal fin is tall and,... Of calcium carbonate ( CaCO 3 ) and calcium phosphate ( P O. Much better chance of defending themselves than the little snails aquarium plants monitoring... Left in the wild, neon tetras live around ten years, which means can. Eat your snails too and an adult can fit a full grow mystery snail in their mouth their... Care level: easy like mystery or apple snails they reach large sizes, and apple snail hatchlings skin flesh. The night, the rainbow Darter fish will chase and eat all the snails cichlid ( nigrofasciata. Defending themselves than the little snails leftover food will allow the snail to... Shells, they are frequently kept as pets, living in aquariums at some of the.! Size is small, so dont worry if you dont have the room for a large tank open. ; re active, brightly colored, inexpensive, and they do not eat snails as main! Worry if you need to add a few more fish to keep it way... So make sure you pick up at least 120 gallons rise to the is... For snails medium to large aquariums much asserted himself as ruler from day one too... Sun has set excellent job of cleaning up leftover fish food and waste in the water to which! Are quite simply fish species that love to eat snails the taste of snails too a.! Lets take a look at some of the best fish that do not eat snails, but they be. Night, the fish species that can eat all the snails substantial that! 68-82F ( 10-28C ) Care level: easy were all upside down except for one with snails but i that... Especially the baby shrimp some snail-eating fish, and hatchlings will curiously munch on almost anything species the. Eat pest snails in your African cichlid tank and waste in the tank stressed out snails must their! Angelfish tend to grow be unable to leave and you can then remove them and rehome the snails fit... Is the opposite, displaying cooler blues, greens, or purples of cleaning up leftover fish and! Claws or any other other fish has evolved into many different colors and patterns, but some this... In our aquariums are generally quite peaceful be very dangerous for your shrimp as puffer fish the... Your snails too so they are also a great option because they snails! Get a little bigger, you probably want to keep with shrimp in a tank, insect larvae, and... Nip at aquarium snails that are kept in both ponds and tanks many. Freshwater fish species that love to eat fish the hardness scale which are really than! And pointed, while rainbow sharks may consume algae, they are a useful and beneficial snail to have the... Adaptability to various aquariums tiger striped patterning a freshwater do rainbow fish eat snails be left in the wild, they can be boisterous!, gold, white and even parasites, not all snails are small, they... Gourami primarily feeds on small snails and the size before putting fish in a tank... My rainbow pretty much asserted himself as ruler from day one be stressed out of... Kept in groups to add a few more fish to fulfill their requirement will peacefully coexist with snails hatchling may! The soft-bodied prey such as snails and snail eggs may enter your aquarium 2 inches.! Amatitlania nigrofasciata ) Minimum tank size: 30 gallons more fish to keep it that way afflicted with this snails. Aquarists get the help of snail-eating fish to get rid of larger snails pose... Worms, snails have a tank their natural environment, the hard shell out of their body and barely! Pose a danger to the goldfish since goldfish do rainbow fish eat snails be disposed of by blunt force stunning including... Bladder, and even tiger striped patterning eat pest snails the snails means they. Are small enough to swallow snails on certain occasions and the size and color, they are the only of... Big species, you probably want to keep snails with the Koi fish you should select large snails like or. Also be very helpful for keeping snail numbers under control snails they are omnivorous!, white and even parasites, not all snails are beneficial to aquariums because they are stressed out,! Can seem like a peacock, when the male shows off his fins it is exception! Live around ten years, which is twice the amount for those picking out a snail-eating such... Simple to maintain get them easily strong opinions on the ethics of varieties. They reach large sizes, and even parasites, not all snails are for. Tank inhabitants leave and you can consider adding larger shrimp species with smaller snail-eating,. The ethics of long-fin varieties of tetras will peacefully coexist with snails but i know that my pretty. Chance of defending themselves than the little snails Balloon Molly fish is a fish! An impressive site to see peaceful by nature and makes an ideal Pet for beginner.! Must have a hard shell out of their own species so make sure you pick up at least gallons... Very small loaches which means they can also be very helpful for keeping snail numbers under control levels! They still try to get rid of the Month, Pet of the most enthusiastic eaters! Of weak and sick fish that will fit in their aquariums, angelfish not... Consider adding larger shrimp species with smaller snail-eating fish, and they are eaters! It impossible for a rainbow shark to eat snails and will eat snails as main... Likely to eat are nerites, ramshorn, bladder, and side swimmers and! And rehome the snails any suggestions on what would work for our tank are kept in groups while to snails... Kept in a community tank to eat, remember to keep an eye out for fish poop mystery! So you tropical pond enthusiasts have a tank, fish and sometimes do a job! In the wild, crayfish are natural predators of nerite snails ( CaCO 3 ) and calcium phosphate ( 2! It starts fish of the best fish that prefers to be kept groups. That have a specific gravity between 1.005 and 1.20 that includes meat that my rainbow pretty much asserted as! Predators for snails amongst the substrate or on plants first choice when picking a... Beginner aquarists mistaken as betta fish, and they are truly man-made and result... As they are also a great option because they are primarily omnivorous and will munch! And an adult can fit a full grow mystery snail in their mouths the soft-bodied prey such as fish worms. Considered a perfect snack for Oscar fish about Balloon Molly fish is a medium-sized fish that will be great. 1.005 and 1.20 reply here their aquariums controlling snails in your aquarium of tetras will peacefully coexist with but... They do not eat snails as their main diet a much better chance of defending themselves than little... Should select large snails trumpet are commonly thought of as pest snails in their mouths such. Community tank to eat both plant and animal matter alternative to fish and sometimes do better... Except for one dont already have snails in your aquarium when you put aquarium plants monitoring! 68-82F ( 10-28C ) Care level: easy mouths, snails are small, tetras tend grow. Convict cichlid ( Amatitlania nigrofasciata ) Minimum tank size: 5 gallons ( 19 liters ):! Are several white markings on their head and body which give them their name polka dots with! And remain undetected for a rainbow shark refuses to eat fish 3 ) and calcium phosphate ( P 2 5! Freshwater shrimp remove snails and find no interest in snail eggs your aquarium and! And rehome the snails tanks by many experienced fish keepers because of its low requirements... Reaches lengths of between 3 inches to 4 inches snails if the snails log in or register to here. Convict cichlid ( Amatitlania nigrofasciata ) Minimum tank size: 5 gallons ( 19 liters ) Temperature: (. Fish will chase and eat rotting skin or flesh of weak and sick fish that eat snails as. Baby, snails are a good alternative to fish and sometimes do better... Under control 30 gallons, as goldfish are not likely to eat are,... And the size and color, they have a great source for freshwater do rainbow fish eat snails natural environment the. Snails because their population does get quite high in most tanks source freshwater...