So, they are perfectly suited to the conditions that the bettas live in, so they are a good addition to the tank. Snails are great scavengers. Today, my betta fish had disappeared over the night. Snails and betta fish together are not usually a problem. This means that youll need to do regular water changes and be careful not to shock them when you add new water to the tank. This is often common with mystery snails that are repeatedly attacked by bettas. For instance, you might want to keep a couple of ramshorns with your Betta fish along with an assassin to help keep the population under control. Two, Bettas are voracious eaters when they choose to be. If you intend to keep more snails in your tank, you must be a dedicated aquarium hobbyist ready to constantly clean the tank. I have an. The good news is that an aggressive betta fish might help to prevent a population of these species of snail from overrunning the tank. They also feed on algae and old food in your tank, so theyll help keep your tank clean. A mystery snail is also considered a perfect meal for betta as its eyes look like a pair of worms, which is a primary food for a betta. 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. They are also active snails, so they will provide some movement and interest in the tank. Feed You Betta: Put the paste on the top of a spoon and swirl it into the tank until the spoon is clean and the fish paste is floating in the tank for the betta to eat. Id only drop 1 and a half of a wafer in the tank every 3 days. Since they like burrowing in the substrate, they improve aeration and even benefit your live plants. Copyright 2023 - SmartAquariumGuide. Just like some other carnivorous fish species, bettas are very keen to eat the eggs and the fry of other species in the tank. That's way too much food.Once a day is sufficent. Will this hurt him? Pond snails are scavengers and will eat just about anything, including algae, dead plant matter, and uneaten fish food. It's sort of a curiosity thing, especially since he is spitting the poo out. If you do decide to add an apple snail to your tank, make sure its a smaller one. We respect your privacy. Bettas are also known to eat other invertebrates such as mollusks, crustaceans, worms, and even small fish. Additionally, theyre used to leaving the water for a few hours every now and then. But dont worry, you can easily prevent this by feeding the bettas enough in the first place. Ramshorn snails are similar in size and lifespan to turret snails. 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! By day, Kelly is a corporate analyst, but by night she's a long-time fishkeeper. These snails dont require much upkeep and will thrive under ideal tank conditions. So they will try to eat anything in the tank. 6. I, too, have had the pea recommendation from betta lovers. Instances of snails feasting on a betta fish are very rare. 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. 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 they're getting all the nutrients they need in their diet! In the wild, this means they eat small crustaceans, insect larvae, insects, worms, and even tiny fish. It's in a 10 gallon tank with 3 nerite snails that I added a few days before I got the betta. #1. So unless the Betta dies inside the tank, you dont have to worry about snails snacking on the Betta. my plecos get an alternating diet of wafers, bloodworms, and fresh greens once a day. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. For Snail: Snail generally take longer to acclimate, our customer will have 48 hours of posted delivery time to claim for Live Arrival Guarantee. The decision to keep snails in the same tank as your betta depends on your commitment to maintaining the survival of both species. However, this is dangerous for the health of a Betta, if you ask me. There are plenty of benefits to adding snails to your Betta fish tank. A tiny snail is nothing more than a nibble for a Betta, however they will seek for other food sources first. Regardless of tank size, generally, adding snails to your tank wont necessarily make bettas turn aggressive. These small fish are notorious for being aggressive and territorial fish, thus making the betta fish a bad choice for community aquariums. An extremely docile snail can also be targeted by an aggressive betta. Theyre more active at night than in the daytime, so you may see them just hanging around if you look at them in the morning. I ended up not getting a new tank. The Mystery Snail is a good snail for beginner aquarists, as they are hardy and easy to care for. Once the snail leaves his territory, things should go back to normal again! Nerites are well armored and protected unless they get turned on their backs. At night though, they can cover great spaces in your tank. Subscribe below for our newsletter and get weekly updates on newly published posts. They still might peck at the snails antennae, causing damage if the snail doesnt retract them in time. In 3 Gallon fish tank, you can add 1-2 snails. If you have concerns about what snail types can/cannot eat betta fish, you can relax. 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. As an aggressive and highly territorial species of fish, it can be challenging to find a good tank mate for your betta. 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. 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. Bettas and snails typically cohabit peacefully in the same aquarium, but smaller snails are at risk of being eaten by bettas. Do Snails Eat Algae In A Betta Fish Tank? my betta and tetras get vittles twice a day. If given a chance, bettas will attempt to eat your snails as well because these fish will consume anything in your tank. Like many other snails, these are also scavengers and arent picky about what they eat. Earlier last week, I started trying guppy fry as live food for him (as per the suggestion of some here) and within 24 hours, he ate them. Apple snails are a popular snail species among aquarium hobbyists, but there are many fishkeepers who say theyre not suitable for a Betta tank. Remember, bettas are carnivores, so if theyre hungry enough, snails will definitely turn up on the menu. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links. Ok honestly for the snails half a gallon to 1 gallon is perfect. Theyre easy to care for and theyre great at keeping the tank clean. However, if you consider the tips I have covered in this post, there is no reason why these two marine creatures cannot cohabit the same tank peacefully. 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. 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. Nerite Snails are another good snail for beginner fishkeepers. Molly Fish and Tiger Barbs Can You Keep Them in Same Aquarium? Ramshorn Snails are a good choice for beginner aquarists who want to add some interest to their tank. However, I was actually torn on whether I should add this snail to this section or the other section. They are peaceful and easy to care for, and they help to keep the tank clean by eating algae and detritus. Your local bait shop should have sardines in its stock. Although bettas might sometimes try to eat the snails, it will generally not occur with the snail species we have on this list. 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. In fact, they often end up drowning because they cant right themselves when they end up on their backs. If you see a cluster of eggs in your Betta tank, you can simply use a flat object to scrape them off. He has like zero issues with the tiger nerite, it's the zebra he gets into flaring fits at sometimes lol. Rabbit snails, also sometimes known as elephant snails, are a bit different than your average snail. The other name of Betta is Siamese fighting fish as they were initially bred for fighting and subject to gambling in Thailand. Is It Possible For More Than 1 Betta To Live Together? There are many variations and types of rabbit snails, ranging in color and appearance. All my previous worries about my new betta being a picky eater and he goes and eats a snail! He would try to kill them everytime. Everything You Need To Know. They like warm water with a higher pH than most. Mystery snails dont require extra effort to keep them fed, as they can feed on fish pellets or live food reaching the substrate that your betta will ignore but makes a good meal for the mystery snail. So adding snails to the fish tanks was a good option for maintaining . 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. I don't think they're starving, if there's algae they should be good. But they can do quite well in 7.0 pH. This also explains why the primary Betta feed you get in stores is sourced from animal protein. D16845D3-2435-464F-9A9E-74B79111A482.jpeg, 71AEC811-B671-4C5F-946D-1630E87FFDF5.jpeg. Please leave a comment if you have any question. Have you seen our Betta Fish E-Book? Luckily, there are some things that you can do to reduce the population of snails in your tank easily. Snails will graze on the glass, the substrate, and even on the landscape of your aquarium for algae and organic matter. 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). Let some air between the lid and the water surface. best mantra for feeding I would say. Can Black Mystery Snails Eat Betta Fish? What's neat is that these fish are more than just snail killers. Just be sure to remove the dead snails from the tank before they start decomposing to avoid the water becoming cloudy. The rabbit snail is one of the more unique-looking snail species on this list. Introducing snails first to the tank is another tip to limit the risk to the snails. So what is the alternative to buying more fish tank mates for bettas? Adding a snail to your bettas tank can often seem like a great idea. As we already mentioned, some snail species are more suited for living with the bettas than others. I didnt feed that tank for two whole months, and there was no other snail for it to snack on, and yet it survived. If youre setting up a tank for the first time, place the snails in the tank first and allow them to acclimatize before introducing the betta. If you liked this article, make sure you check out the rest of the website. 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. This includes algae, dead plant matter, and uneaten fish food. That being said, the best snails for a betta tank are mystery snails, ramshorn snails, and turret snails. For example, some snails are better at eating algae than others. Theyre not as common as some of the other snail species on this list, but theyre still widely available. Another benefit of having snails in your tank is that they help keep the. Clean up uneaten food and waste. Rabbit snails like warmer water temperature, just like betta fish. All the snails on this list are perfectly fine with bettas, as long as they dont spread too much. But if the snails start propagating, then you need a bigger tank too. 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! Be warned: Ramshorns are one of the few snail species that can reproduce in freshwater. For the Nerites make sure that the small tank has a small heater and a small filter. To prevent or treat constipation, like Rowangel said. Ive been keeping fish, since I was a kid. i looked through the entire tank and the filter box, but she wasn't there. Here are some of the best snail species to keep with bettas. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. When you purchase hardy snails for your tank, theyre more likely to survive in the tank with the betta. There are also other variations. All my previous worries about my new betta being a picky eater and he goes and eats a snail! He killed several species of snails (granted they we're pretty small and had their heads extended out of their shell, unlike nerites). Whether your betta is going to attack your snail or not is going to be entirely dependent on their personality. Sarah has much experience in all aspects of pet care, and providing the world with knowledge on ethical pet ownership is her lifelong dream. 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. Giant Betta Fish (Betta Anabatoides) Facts & Profile. As well as this, it can often be that the betta is only attacking a snail because he feels theyre in his territory. Betta fish and snails can be kept in the same aquarium, but your betta is likely to eat some of 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. 6 years ago. This means that they can quickly take over a tank if their population is not kept in check. Its important not to keep baby snails in the same tank as your betta, as theyre not large enough to fend off attacks from the betta and are highly susceptible to being considered prey. One, Bettas are natural carnivores, so they like feeding on smaller crustaceans, insects, and insect larva. Many of them are quite beautiful and provide a number of additional benefits too! 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. Ever since I got him hes been very hyper because he can see his reflection in the tank. Assassin snails often burrow in the substrate when theyre not hunting, which helps aerate the substrate. If so, with what? One thing to keep in mind with Mystery Snails is that they need a lot of calcium for their shells. I also started to notice some algae on his glass, so I put in 2 of the small pond snails from my 20g. This is at no extra cost to you. One of the most common reasons people add snails to their aquarium is because they help reduce algae. 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! Manage Settings The answer to this question is a bit more complicated than the previous one. So keeping a sand or other light substrate into your betta fish tank is the best choice for these snails. Mystery Snails have plenty of color variants, so you can find one that matches your bettas coloration. A betta fish attacking a snail doesn't necessarily mean he wants to eat it! It is especially true if your betta has a bit of an attitude problem. I would only keep assassin snails when theyre needed, as the betta fish might consider them a threat due to their size. Saygoodbye to boring tanks and hello to a vibrant and diverse aquarium! Its best to say that bettas definitely have the capacity to attack your snail and may do, but youll never know for sure until you put the two together. Ok great I was worried that if you had any fish in the tank that they might be your bettas next meal lol. She also keeps hamsters and a tarantula and wishes to provide quality content for readers and allow others to learn from her knowledge and experience. Always seek advice from a certified veterinarian in a case of medical emergency. It happens sometimes. The Siamese fighting fish, better known as the betta fish, is a popular pet fish that can be found in a range of different colors and fin types. You are using an out of date browser. All baby snails regardless of the species are small enough to be eaten by betta fish, so keep this in mind if you want to raise baby snails in the same aquarium as your betta fish. Sarah is residing in South Africa with her partner and pets. Another tip for the peaceful coexistence of betta fish and snails is to buy hardy snails. Bettas do chase snails sometimes, but they usually wont do any damage to a nerite, but they can bite off a mystery snail antennae. It can be a particular problem if your betta has a more aggressive temperament. Theyre scavengers and will eat pretty much anything. As an Amazon Associate I receive a commission if you decide to purchase through my links. This is why its important to acclimate them slowly when you add them to your tank. They do not hatch, as Nerites are marine snails. Algae can quickly take over your tank if you dont keep it in check, keep your aquarium clean and free of algae, Can Betta Fish Live With Shrimp? However, theyll produce as much waste themselves. Awww looks like you got a betta that doesn't tolerate any tank mates. Bettas are incredibly aggressive fish, which has earned them the name: 'Siamese fighting fish'. While these snails grow quite large, you should not keep more than one apple snail per 5 gallons. Bettas are much more likely to hurt. Betta fish will eat hatchling snails as these snails are small and soft enough to fit into their mouths. They will eat any algae that grows on your plants and decor, and they will also eat uneaten fish food. I may have added some seachem stresscoat for my fish but the two snails were not okay before adding the stress coat. The nerite snail is a freshwater snail that can be kept in most tanks. Ivory snails are perhaps less common than some of the others on this list, but theyre still a popular choice for many snail keepers. Uneaten food and waste can contribute to poor water quality in the tank, which can negatively impact the health of your betta fish.. Snails are particularly effective at cleaning up uneaten food and waste that may be missed . Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Yes. But thats not the main reason theyre not recommended for Betta tanks. I'm just going to assume I should keep my dude solitary and not consider him for a community tank. I havent decided yet. Bettas prefer foods of animal origin, such as daphnia, bloodworms, and brine shrimp, and they like to feed on the surface. He got along great with all of the other inhabitants, but he hated snails. 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 you intend to keep snails in your betta tank to clean your tank, that probably wont be a good idea. One of our members told the story of their betta carrying a snail around and smashing it into the side of the tank, killing it and eating the snail. Like other snails, you need to be wary about excessive reproduction from the snails as theyre likely to overbreed if well-fed and tank conditions are good. So keep reading to find out. Its not uncommon to hear of them dropping dead right after being placed inside a new tank. They dont have any of the traits that can often cause bettas to attack, such as bright colors or long tails. Keep in mind that assassin snails can be quite sensitive to sudden changes in water parameters. Most snails survive in a betta aquarium, and keeping aquarium snails could help eliminate soft algae and algae wafers from forming in your betta tank. They can even make their way into your tank from live plants in the tank without your realizing it. 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. They dont need a lot of calcium in their diet, so theyre a good choice for tanks with soft water. I think my snails might be sick. See The Most Compatible Species Here, Can Betta Fish Live With Goldfish? But bettas are an aggressive species, especially against other fish. But if your fish has a relatively calm disposition, you can add the snail and observe its reaction. One betta might tolerate the snails just fine. They have a very recognizable look, which is why many people choose to keep them as pets. 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. (With Pictures), Why Did my Betta Fish Die? Generally, it is recommended to keep larger snail species with the bettas to protect themselves against possible betta attacks. Hepper.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. However, keeping snails in the same tank with your betta is also dependent on your betta. However, this doesnt mean that bettas will naturally go after snails as their preferred meal, so its essential that snails kept in the same tank as the betta are larger and better capable of defending themselves. The Complete Guide On Caring For Betta Fish. This depends on your bettas temperament. Sometimes your betta is just going to be aggressive towards them no matter what. You will need to increase the size of the aquarium if you plan to add snails with betta fish, as the tank can quickly become overstocked and too small to support both the betta fish and new snails. Continue with Recommended Cookies. A temperature of around 78F will suit both your Betta and your snail well. So read on, and find out everything you need to know about keeping bettas and snails together! Avoid keeping delicate and easily stressed snails in the same tank as your betta, as they will try to eat the snails. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Disclosure: I may earn a commission when you purchase through my affiliate links. Will bettas harm a nerite snail? And the best course of action is to simply remove the snail. 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. How Many Fish Can Be In A 20-Gallon Tank? You can feed them vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, cauliflower or greens. They come in a variety of colors, including red, brown, and green.