They are the best. This herbivore snail is usually found in and among gardens and crops. Description. Abalones can be found in waters surrounding São Tomé and Príncipe, off the coast of Gabon, Africa. For a few species, you may need also to consult published keys. Rabbit snails are completely peaceful and therefore safe to keep with any fish or shrimp. Ossa-Lacayo, Alejandro. However, Pond snails are considerably larger than the common Bladder snail. Pond Informer (Beckie) on Wildlife Pond Maintenance Guide (Cleaning Advice) Pond Informer (Beckie) on Bog Bean Facts, Care & Planting Guide (Menyanthes trifoliata) Pond Informer (Beckie) on List of Plants Toxic to Pond Fish (Common Poison Species) Pat Ferguson on How to Shade a Garden Pond (Heat Protection Guide) ... Last month, I talked about the apple snail and other pond snails – obviously, these should also be avoided in the home aquarium. The snail species is considered critically endangered and the number of henrigirardia wienini species that still exists is unknown. Thank you for the kind words! Algae is also a favorite, so your black devil snails will appreciate it if you leave some in the tank. Rabbit snails are good scavengers, and they love greens. However, personally, I do not think that they are as bad as anyone claims. Pond Snails – Basic Facts. You can try Facebook groups, craigslist, or some online stores. However, most sea snails tend to feed on aquatic snails. In very large ponds, snails can even be necessary to create a balanced, natural ecosystem. A lot of fish keepers might have faced this pond snails problem in their fish aquariums or ponds, where the population of these little pest nails exploded despite the best effort to control it. £3.61 postage. Pond snails (Lymnaeidae) are a family of gastropods quite common in European rivers, lakes and ponds. link to The Ideal Water Parameters for Fish and Shrimp Keeping, link to Reasons Why Corals Die In Aquariums, increase shrimplets survival rate (read my article about it), Assassin Snail – Detailed Guide: Care, Diet, and Breeding. They will also feed on any leftover fish food that makes it to the bottom of the pond, as well as enjoying green leafy vegetables when offered occasionally. These snails can grow up to 1 inch (~2.5 cm) in diameter. They grow very quickly and mature sexually at an age of 2.5–3.5 months. 4. These small snails barely reach 1.5 cm (~ ½ inches) long. Any two of them can mate, and both can lay several dozens of eggs. Apple snail. She even eats hair algae, either that, or she just likes biting it. 5. Read more about this species in my articles “Malaysian Trumpet Snails – Pros and Cons for Shrimp Tank”, List of Saltwater Aquarium Snails: Pros and Cons. The Otala punctata is a herbivore and feeds of leaves, pieces of fruit, flowers and vegetables. Bladder snails are in my experience more commonly seen. Types of Freshwater Aquarium Snails. In some places, it is considered an invasive animal because of its high reproduction rate and the voracious appetite for crops and vegetation. Some sea snail types breathe through gills, while others have a primitive lung that allows them to take in oxygen from the air. Basically, they will accept any type of vegetables or algae-based foods. Faunus ater, also known as the Black devil snail, is a large aquarium snail that doesn’t reproduce in freshwater. 3. You are right, do not keep them the turtles. Because it often attacks and feeds on crops, the garden snail is often considered a burden to humans and is thereby killed off by pesticides. Malaysian trumpet snails will clean your tank spectacularly! Any leftover fish foods will happily be consumed, and the same thing goes for the dead (or even live) plant bits. They are native to the Mediterranean region, Western Europe, part of Asia and northern Egypt. Actually, you can read it in my article in detail (see below). Unfortunately, Giant Colombian Ramshorn snails are extremely voracious plant eaters. Keep reading to discover the most common types of land snails: Also know as the Roman snail or Burgundy snail, this common garden snail is widely distributed in Europe. Even... Coral mortality is a huge problem in the captive care of corals, and many hobbyists are puzzled by the sudden death of their corals which seemed to be doing perfectly fine. I strongly recommend these snails as they will become a valued part of the cleaning crew. Malaysian Trumpet Snails This species is very aggressive and it is easy to confuse them with Ghost shrimp. Hello Michele If the snails have no access to any other sustenance, Mystery snails can even starve but usually will not touch any of the aquatic plants as a food source. Therefore, the list of inappropriate tank mates looks like this: 2. They are about the size of a pea, and completely brown, no other color variations. Read more about this species in my article “Brotia Pagodula Snail – Pros and Cons for Shrimp Tank”. Fast reproduction and big size of the snails also means they put off a lot of waste. Sorry for the rambling and looking forward to your opinion. 16. I … The two following keys should enable you to identify nearly all snails and limpets to species level. Read more about this species in my article “Marisa Cornuarietis Snail – Detailed Guide: Care, Diet, and Breeding”. When you are choosing freshwater snails, there are more factors upon which you can choose the right type of snail for you. Other than that, you can find more details in my articles. This snail type is classified as a least concern snail species, since many of its habitat has dried up as a result of pollution and exploitation. Whether marine or terrestrial, these gastropods remain a mystery to many. They can harass snails that cannot seal themselves in their shells (, Remember, the only way if you have too many is because you are overfeeding! There are about 40 different kinds of water snails in Britain, varying in size when fully grown from the tiny Nautilus Ram’s-horn – just 2 or 3 mm across – to the Great Pond Snail which grows up to 4 cm. Dwarf pond snail. They are safe with any fish, shrimp, or plants, and are entirely peaceful. Raising pond snails has been increasing day in day out, thus turning into becoming a large scale from a small cottage industry since it contains many economic values. Here is a video about Wildlife Pond Snails, Lymnaea stagnalis, Beneficial Pond Snail Another group of snails, the prosobranchs, or gilled pond snails, are more strictly aquatic, though 3 species of land snails in Missouri are prosobranchs. Pond Snails will often flourish in temperatures around 70°F - 80°F (21°C-27°C). They consider them as Pest snails and want to remove them by any means. These energy efficient systems feature a dual-diaphragm compressor. If you want to read similar articles to Types of Snails - Marine and Terrestrial, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category. Japanese snails are pretty tolerant. They are very friendly and will not bother any other aquarium inhabitant. Assassin Snails All; Auction; Buy it now; Sort: Best Match. There are thousands of marine snail species, and diet depends largely on the species. It is usual to find this marine snail stuck to rock shores or shallow waters. It means they are both male and female in each one of them. Until recently, this species was known as Lymnaea truncatula. They have tiny mouths that will be … However, I do think that how much snails improve Diet-wise, you need to provide plenty of leaf litter and supplement this with fish or invertebrate pellets. If you see one eating on a dead fish, you can be sure that the fish died before the snail started eating on it. Pond snails and bladder snails are often confused for one another, but there are differences! This garden snail is nocturnal, and is a popular edible snail or escargot. Shallow Water Series – The SW20 and SW40 are designed for ponds up to 6' deep and have 2 or 4 diffuser plates. Like pond snails, they are hermaphrodites and breed prolifically. Buy Live Pond Snails and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! 2) Great Pond Snail (Lymnaea stagnalis) The great pond snail, or Lymnaea stagnalis, is a fairly widespread species occurring in the Holarctic regions of Europe as well as portions of Canada and Russia. Their shells are one of the more exotic color variations with either yellow/brown stripes or solid yellow colors with no stripes on the shells. Keep reading to discover the most common types of freshwater snails: Known as a New Zealand mud snail, this species of freshwater snail is endemic to New Zealand, but can also be found in Australia, Europe and North America. Aquarium snails are everywhere in aquarist’s live – they inhabit in all types of tanks and sometimes they appear in the places, where it seems to be impossible. To some hobbyists they are a valued scavenger, while others consider them a pest. While snails will help in cases were string algae are present, they shouldn’t be relied upon to do so, especially at the expenses of cleaning the pond manually or using other types of equipment. Make sure you give them enough space. A species of great pond snail. 5. Description: Japanese Trapdoors are an unusual and peaceful variety of snails and one of the largest in the hobby. Several types of receptor endings were identified with scanning electron microscopy and silver-impregnation techniques in the skin of the tentacles, lips, dorsal surface of the head and mouth region of the pond snails Lymnaea stagnalis and Vivipara viviparus. Nitrite 0ppm. On this blog, I share all the things I learn about shrimp breeding as I go. They are also amazingly beautiful snails with a long life span. Benefits of Pond Snails. Generally, people confuse Bladder snails and Pond snails; they just call them – Pest snails. They will also take care of all of the algae. £9.00. 3. Do you have advice to help me make sure the snails are living their best life? Do Snails Eat Live Plants? There is no need to care for them. Giant Colombian Ramshorn snails Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. They are a popular choice for both indoor aquariums and ponds useful as scavengers and algae-destroyers – and are one of the few snails that can survive in cold northern climates. This is a very beautiful snail. The decollate snail is carnivorous and consumes garden snails. The most I could count recently was 5 snails, but there’s lots of places to hide. 6. Assassin snails do particularly well in captivity, and most will grow up to 2.5 – 3 cm (~1 inch) in length. Just because they’ve lived so far doesn’t mean they’re doing good. So the answer ‘do pond snails eat algae?’ Yes but it not that easy. Pond snails are most likely the reason aquatic snails have been given a bad reputation. Most grow to an inch or less and are olive-green to speckled brown in color. The giant African snail is nocturnal, and feeds mainly on: plants, bones, algae, carrion, lichen and even rocks, which it consumes for calcium. Black Devil Snails They are smaller, have a blunter and shorter apex, and longer thinner antennae. These sea snails generally reside on rocks or under boats. Also, it looks fantastic! Sea snails, like land and freshwater snails, are gastropod molluscs. There are thousands of marine snail species, and diet depends largely on the species. However, unlike, Require fast water flow and a high oxygenated tank, Very slow reproduction (if you plant to breed them), Ultra hardy snails (if you want to keep them), Ultra hardy snails (if you want to kill them), Very hardy snails (if you want to keep them), Too hardy snails (if you want to kill them). 2011. Rabbit Snails These snails have a large appetite and will gladly clean up any leftover food in an aquarium. Some A lots of people do not like Malaysian Trumpet Snails. For more about types of aquarium snails, we suggest reading our article where we list the best clean-up snails for your aquarium. Each snail has slightly different coloration and patterns, but they usually feature more natural-looking colors such as brown and green. Malaysian trumpet snails are so hardy that can live in any freshwater tank. Considering the fact that they are semi-tropical species, they will be absolutely fine in room temperature. Types Of Nerite Snails. (Mystery Snails, Inca Snails) Snails in the genus Pomacea have several common names. However, unlike Horned nerite snails, Brotia Pagodula snails have a large bulky appearance with a broad and furrowed snout. These are another algae-eating species, as most snails are. This type of snail does not pro-create so readily and even better, it spends its every waking moment EATING ALGAE! & Perez, K. 2011. They will also bury into substrate (aerate it) and will not annoy you with their presence. Bladder Snails Most of the snails are the scavenger type. Both types of snails reproduce readily in aquariums and are the most common "pest" species. Dwarf Shrimp. Ramshorn Snails are lovely and are great for adding some color and decoration to your aquarium, but they also serve some beneficial purposes. This snail carries a long shell with well-defined expiration,which can vary between white and gray. The Giant African Snail is a 20 cm long snail native to Africa, and it is one of the largest snail species. I do weekly tap water changes, and want to start using wonder shells. Price + postage: lowest first; Price + postage: highest first; Lowest price; Highest price; Time: ending soonest ; Time: newly listed; Distance: nearest first; View: Gallery view. They will grow up to 1 – 2 inch (~3 – 5 cm). In some cases, these relatively safe shrimp can also cause problems. The average life span is around 2 – 3 years, though they can easily exceed this age in a well-maintained aquarium. Believe me, they will find enough food in the tank, your Molly cannot eat everything, there are always leftovers, debris, algae, biofilm, etc. They will also feed on any leftover fish food that makes it to the bottom of the pond, as well as enjoying green leafy vegetables when offered occasionally. This large snail measures between 10 and 30 centimeters in length, and carries a spiral shell with brown and yellow stripes. This article will help navigate you through the pros and cons for each snail species. I may check back again if you post more aricles. Read more about this species in my articles “Malaysian Trumpet Snails – Pros and Cons for Shrimp Tank” and. Some sea snails species are carnivorous, and they feed on clams and smaller marine animals. I’m very fond of snails, certainly. Let’s take a closer look at each of the main types of nerite snails and what they look like. Well, personally, I would not worry about your hitchhiker snails. Read more about this species in my article “Pond Snails – Detailed Guide: Care, Diet, and Breeding”. They prefer calm, still water with plenty of vegetation, or very … Macrobrachium species. In addition to eating algae, they consume uneaten fish food and waste on the floor of tanks and ponds. Best regards, aside from aggressive breeds of turtles, I was wondering if they would get along with 2 small fire-belly frogs? The main types of molluscs in fresh water Three main types of freshwater molluscs can be easily distinguished: snails, limpets and bivalves. Any type of Crayfish Assassin Snails: Hobbyists often keep Assassin Snails in their freshwater tanks to help keep populations of other snails in check. Types of Land Snails. Giant Colombian Ramshorn snails (sometimes referred to as Apple snails, Paradise snail,  Golden horn marissa, etc.). I wonder how many (if any) hybrids are being sold out there as one or the other. Read more about this species in my article “Black Devil Snail – Detailed Guide: Care, Diet and Breeding”. The type of air breathing snail is endemic to the south of Spain, however, it is also possible to find them in several countries of South America, in addition to the United States and Algeria. Magic cone sea snail poison has roughly 50,000 different components, referred to as conotoxics. Gilled Snails . reply #4. debcc. Did you know that the garden snail is considered the slowest of all land snail types? Michael. 2) Great Pond Snail (Lymnaea stagnalis) The great pond snail, or Lymnaea stagnalis, is a fairly widespread species occurring in the Holarctic regions of Europe as well as portions of Canada and Russia.As its name implies, it’s a fairly large snail whose shell can grow to be up to 7 centimeters in diameter. If you’re curious about snail classification and want to discover all snail types, keep reading here at AnimalWised. Regarding their insane reproduction, in most cases this is our own fault! They belong to the family of so-called “ baltica Lindström, 1868: synonym of Lymnaea stagnalis (Linnaeus, 1758) Because most of our aquariums are a little too ‘clean’ to sustain a few of these snails you’ll need to supplement their diet. Best Match. May occasionally be cannibalistic, eating smaller snails. The most common species is Pomacea diffusa. https://aquariumbreeder.com/list-of-freshwater-aquarium-snails-pros-and-cons They are so adorable and I recommend keeping aquatic snails as pets. Leptoxis plicata. Pond snails can be a fun & interesting addition to your pond’s ecosystem. If you are lucky, well-fed and healthy Brotia Pagodula snails might produce offspring. This is a very rare oddity in the snail world, making bladder snails easily distinguished among snail species. Nerite Snails. Live Pond Snails. Malaysian Trumpet Snail – Detailed Guide: Care, Diet, and Breeding. varying in size when fully grown from the tiny Nautilus Ram’s-horn – just 2 or 3 mm across – to the Great Pond Snail which grows up to 4 cm Let’s try to make a long story short and gather some information about the kinds described earlier, so then you can choose what’s interesting especially for … Unfortunately, I don’t sell Japanese trapdoor snails. They are both hermaphroditic and sexual, and these creatures can take over tanks or ponds in short periods of time. 1" Pond Snails species vary in size. What Types of Plants Do Snails Eat in a Pond?. Sure, Malaysian trumpet snails often come uninvited, and it is virtually impossible to get rid of them later, because they reproduce like crazy. Surprisingly, but there are also aggressive dwarf shrimp species that can harm your snails. Garden Snail – Helix aspersa The garden snail is a small species with a height up to 1.3 inches and a particular shell design that distinguishes it from other species. Fish Name: Great pond snail Latin Name: Lymnaea stagnalis Maximum Size: 8cm Preferred Water Conditions: Will acclimatize to a wide range of conditions. Unfortunately. Well, maybe it does not sound nice, it is extremely beneficial for the fish fry and baby shrimp. This article will help navigate you through the pros and cons for each snail species. Slugs & Snails. Use an invertebrate food that contains plenty of calcium to ensure proper growth. Hi Lauren, Did you know that Conus magus poison is used in the pharmaceutical industry? However, there are also drawbacks to snail keeping. what are some TYPES of snails there are?? Most species eat only algae and to a lesser degree, other vegetable matter. We all know snails can’t fly but the common water snails are good at getting around from place to place. This is another species that is not welcomed by many aquarists. They are also available in different species with different shell shapes, colors, textures, and patterns. Pros and Cons. They can resemble their smaller cousins (Ramshorn snails) in color but differ in shape, size and some other features. Water Snails are Edible. Keep reading to uncover more! They also serve some beneficial purposes. 10+2 free trapdoor pond snails (ALGAE EATERS) £15.50. They are easy to take care of and reduce the amount of time you have to spend cleaning the tank which also makes them a considerable snail when it comes to freshwater aquarium snails. 4. These types of snails have a lifespan of 1-3 years, and they grow to an average length of 0.5-1 inch. Nerite snails are, however, ferocious algae eaters, and they might eat your aquarium clean of algae, at which point they need to be fed vegetable matter. Some claim to … So, what are the ideal water parameters for fish and/or shrimp keeping? Amano Shrimp. 6 watching. If you think you only need shrimp, fishes, plants, and substrates in your freshwater aquarium, you are wrong. Pond Snails. 2. Pond Snails. Required fields are marked *. Therefore, will require a little bit bigger tank compared to other snails. A question commonly... Hi everyone! I currently own or had own all of these snails at one point. Keep reading below to discover the most common types of sea snails: Known more commonly as the ‘magic cone’, this sea snail inhabits both the Pacific and Indigo oceans. 9. Trapdoor Snails are quite giant as adults and can grow up to 3 inches (~7 cm) in length, making them one of the giant freshwater snails in the aquarium hobby. Bladder snails are one of the most commonly found snails in the aquarium hobby. Commonly known as decollate snail (Rumina decollata), this garden mollusc can be found in Europe, part of Africa and North America. Achatina Fulica Bowdich 1822 (Mollusca: Gastropoda-Achatinidae) en zona urbana de Sincelejo y Sampués, Sucre, Colombia”. Therefore, although they are considered terrestrial snails, these snails do require humid environments in order to survive. 1. Also referred to as the common periwinkle, the Littorina littorea it is a mollusc that can be found in abundance in the Atlantic ocean, specifically around areas surrounding North America and western Europe. Therefore, it makes them a good choice for an aquarium. I’m Michael and this is the place where I nerd out about shrimp. Pond snails typically remain small, only growing to about ¼-inch in size which enables them to hide in gravel and in the crevices of aquarium decorations. They are called as escargot. Common known as the golden apple snail, this snail is among the most common types of aquarium snails. However, there is no need to worry about overpopulation, though. 1-48 of 65 results. A-F. Types of sensory endings of skin receptors in head. They will also particularly enjoy feeding on decaying or already dead plant matter. “Caracol africano gigante. They are omnivores, feeding on algae, dead plant material, detritus and uneaten fish food. Types of Snails . North America boasts more than 500 species of freshwater snails. Calcium is an essential part of all aquatic snails. The New Zealand mud snail feeds on plant detritus, algae and diatoms. Types Of Freshwater Snails Often Available. This common garden snail species is characterized by its spiral brown shell with white dots. Yes, I have read that too. Read my article –, List of Freshwater Aquarium Snails. These tiny pests are hermaphrodites. in your tank by themselves. 1. Below is a list of the most popular freshwater aquarium snails. Therefore, I highly recommend reading my article “How to Supplement Shrimp and Snails with Calcium”. Brotia Pagodula snails are super rare snails in the aquarium hobby. Well, here is why freshwater snails are advantageous. Based on the unique shell markings, there are some varieties you might see in pet stores: Read more about this species in my article “Nerite Snails – Detailed Guide: Care, Diet and Breeding”. In addition, I will provide links to articles with deeper information into individual care. Some bladder snails hitchhiked their way in. The Bythinella batalleri is a species of freshwater snail that inhabits the fresh waters of Spain, where it has been recorded in 63 different locations. pH ~7.5. List view. If your tank is completely overrun by snails and the situation is out of control. The species is listed as endangered and its main threats include changes to its natural habitat as a result of human activity, such as such as agriculture, mining and diversion of the riverbed. Do not use tap water since copper ions from the plumbing system may contaminate the tap water and kill the snails prematurely. Pond snails eat algae, but have also been known to eat both floating and rooted aquatic plants and a variety of decaying organic matter. The Conus magus species is characterized by its poisonous sting which can be lethal. Nerite Snails Like Bladder snail, Pond snails are also hermaphrodites that can self- and cross-fertilize (mixed mating system). Because of this, it is often used as a biological form of pest control. Like many other aquarium snails, black devil snails are omnivores that will eat pretty much anything they come across. The ideal pond for keeping koi is least 1000 gal lons with plenty of aeration and good filtration.Koi become quite large and require a lot of room to swim and remain healthy. The snails usually ship as juveniles that are pea-sized but may sometimes be smaller. They breed extremely fast (explosively), producing lots of bio-load (waste) that breaks down into nitrates and cause ammonia spikes. They sport an attractive black- and light brown-striped shell, a light-colored body with small, darker flecks, and a very thin, prominent proboscis, something like the proboscis of a trumpet snail but much thinner and lighter in color. Several species fall under the term “pond snails”. Bladder snails occur on all continents except Antarctica. Sarah Dalesman, Author provided. B Type 2 ending. However, if you still want to give them their best life – add some calcium in the tank and give them blanched veggies. Its poison components are isolated to produce pain-relieving medications used for patients suffering from cancer and HIV. Gastropods began life in the ocean, some 500,000,000 years ago, plus or minus, and today’s representatives are found from deep ocean trenches to mountain tops and from deserts to mudflats to gardens. Nerite Snails (Zebra Nerite, Tiger Nerite, Olive Nerite, Black (Red, Gold) Racer Nerite, Horned Nerite, Red Spotted Nerite, etc. Though not everyone’s favourites, especially gardeners, you can easily find a variety of snails and slugs munching on your home’s plants. Not only will we be discussing everything you need to know about the snail family, but we’ll also be including some photos and fun snail facts. The shell pictured in Fig. Their unicorn-horn like shells can have a wide spectrum of colors: red, green, yellow, golden, blue and some others. There is no need to describe the proper care for these snails. They will eat almost anything that they can scavenge, and this includes decomposing fish and other small invertebrates. There are a lot of people who are not aware that a freshwater snail can be a great addition to an aquarium—getting interested? For example, in my guide about this species, I referred to the experiment where Pond snails tolerated (short-lasting) pH changes a wider range – up to pH 3.5! Definitely, these snails should be considered a nice addition to your aquarium. Some of their common habitats include Three main types of freshwater molluscs can be easily distinguished: snails, limpets and bivalves. group Pulmonata: Lymnaeidae. In some cases, their shells can be divided into two parts with one side dark and one light. My molly especially is good at hunting down every bit. But otherwise, they are pretty adaptable for just about any freshwater aquarium. In France, the snails are considered as a delicacy. I have a low-tech planted 55 tropical community. So, if you are interested in getting into this hobby or just want some extra tips and tricks, well this is the right place for you. I also discovered your article on the panda garra, and now I have to get one. In this article, we will take a look at 10 best freshwater aquarium snails. However, most sea snails tend to feed on plankton, algae, corals and flora traces. These are very hardy snails. At the individual rates depending on the pond snail, you want to keep. are a type of apple snail and are among the most popular in the aquarium hobby. This type of garden snail can reach roughly 4 cm in height, and vary in brown tones.The Helix pomatia is a herbivore and feeds on pieces of fruit, leaves, sap and flowers. These snail types are classed into groups which include land snails, sea snails and freshwater snails. 4 years ago. Types of Pest Snails in an Aquarium. Now this doesn't let you off the hook for keeping as much debris out of the pond as possible and adding beneficial bacteria in weekly to keep your pond looking great. Free postage. They will destroy any planted tanks in no time! The common whelk (Buccinum undatum) mollusk can be found in the surrounding waters of the Atlantic Ocean, where it prefers to inhabit areas with temperatures of roughly 29 degrees. Especially, when they young. Lymnaea stagnalis, better known as the great pond snail, is a species of large air-breathing freshwater snail, an aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Lymnaeidae. I’d like to provide the snails their own food, but don’t know how to make sure the tiny slow-moving snails can get anything to eat before the fish eat everything. There are many different types of nerite snails that you can get for your aquarium. Land snails release a type of mucus from the body, which helps to lubricate their muscular foot. The Leptoxis plicata, known commonly as the Plicata rocksnail, is a type of freshwater snail endemic to Alabama (United States). Gold Inca Snails can be good tank cleaners. and shell patterns. This prevents the development of anaerobic zones and, as a result, prevents the formation of hydrogen sulfide. Some of these snails look truly otherworldly, with shells covered with large spikes. An escargatoire of pond snails. Some types of mollusks - for example, melania, which are one of the most popular types of aquarium snails - constantly loosen and drain the ground. 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. 6. Low reproduction rate (if you plant to breed them), They aerate the substrate (prevent gas pockets, provide oxygen to plant roots), Lays large eggs masses above the surface of the water, Can borrow and aerate the substrate (prevent gas pockets, provide oxygen to plant roots), Low reproduction rate (if you plant to breed), They will aerate the substrate (prevent gas pockets, provide oxygen to plant roots), Potentially aggressive (can consume eggs, newly hatched and small snails), Do not reproduce in freshwater (if you plant to breed them), The shape of their shells resembles a spiralling tower with protruding spikes from all sides.