Some common snail species that are safe for betta tanks include: Nerite Snails These tiny snails are usually seen as a decoration in aquariums, but they can be kept safely with betta fish and other tropical fish. 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. If youre looking for a way to control algae or keep your tank clean, adding a few snails is a great way to do it. Betta fish are carnivores both in captivity and in the wild, which is why they will eat snails in the aquarium. Thus, its essential to maintain a steady pH and temperature level to ensure the survival of the snail.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'aquariumlabs_com-leader-2','ezslot_8',140,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aquariumlabs_com-leader-2-0'); Nerites are beautiful, and they come in a variety of different colors and patterns. One of the most common reasons people add snails to their aquarium is because they help reduce algae. Nerite Snails are another good snail for beginner fishkeepers. Betta fish and snails can be kept in the same aquarium, but your betta is likely to eat some of them. You can also try rearranging the tank as well. 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. If you liked this article, make sure you check out the rest of the website. He would try to kill them everytime. Another common concern people have is whether or not a snail can kill a Betta fish. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. The main reason for this is that they can be very large. Are you wondering if bettas eat snails? Remove Your Snail If all else fails, the best thing you can do is remove your snail from the tank. I would only keep assassin snails when theyre needed, as the betta fish might consider them a threat due to their size. Betta fish are notorious for trying to eat anything that catches their eye, and this goes for snails too. So they will try to eat anything in the tank. This is at no extra cost to you. See The Most Compatible Species Here, Can Betta Fish Live With Goldfish? If you have concerns about what snail types can/cannot eat betta fish, you can relax. There are some snail species that go better with the bettas than others, and we will take a look at them later. Malaysian trumpet snails are also one of the most popular snail species out there. 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. Also the nerite has full antennae. 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. Be warned: Ramshorns are one of the few snail species that can reproduce in freshwater. Fortunately, if your betta is attacking a snail in your tank, there are a few things you can do to help prevent it from happening anymore. An extremely docile snail can also be targeted by an aggressive betta. If you intend to keep more snails in your tank, you must be a dedicated aquarium hobbyist ready to constantly clean the tank. I feed him bloodworms (the only thing he'll eat) every other day, so it's not like he ate the snails out of starvation. Besides, larger snails have a better chance of protecting themselves against a betta or any other predator. Lets face it, snails are just cool. I've personally had ghost shrimp and zebra danios live peacefully with one of my male bettas. However, keeping snails in the same tank with your betta is also dependent on your betta. In addition, their voracious feeding is also responsible for Bettas suffering from constipation and swim bladder diseases. Theyre also known to dig up plants, which can be very annoying. Sarah Psaradelis. However, Bettas only go on a hunger strike when I change the water or introduce them to a new tank. We do our best to help readers take good care of their fish. One took a ride out of the tank on a piece of decor when I did a water change and I didn't see it in there until after I was done with the water change and I saw it crawling around my sink! 2005-2019 Monsterfishkeepers.com. However, I was actually torn on whether I should add this snail to this section or the other section. #1. Ramshorn Snails are a good choice for beginner aquarists who want to add some interest to their tank. So unless the Betta dies inside the tank, you dont have to worry about snails snacking on the Betta. Lastly, most Bettas will only eat snails if theyre hungry. Bettas can also overfeed very easily, so giving them a balanced diet is the most important thing you can do for their well-being and keeping the snail safe. What is more, Ramshorn snails are perfect for tanks that dont have too much vegetation in it. Bettas eat snails especially if the snail is smaller than the Betta and they live in the same tank. Have a cat? 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! Introducing snails first to the tank is another tip to limit the risk to the snails. However, whether a betta will eat a snail or not also depends on the fishs temperament. 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. Copyright 2023 - SmartAquariumGuide. Do Bettas Ever Try To Eat Other Fish In Their Aquarium? She currently is interested in veterinary science and ichthyology, which she wants to study alongside her main passion: pet content writing. Instances of snails feasting on a betta fish are very rare. Should I take the snail out? 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. Otherwise, have a great day! you can check what it covers and a sneak peak here. I think it's probably more like roughage that they can't digest, but that will clean out their system. The tank does have some seed shrimp and freshwater limpets, hydra and a nerite snail. This is why its important to acclimate them slowly when you add them to your tank. Well, it is not that simple to eat snails that are larger. (11 Common Reasons), Stressed Betta Fish (Causes, Symptoms & Treatments), The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database, Dramamine For Dogs: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Answered by Dr. Joanna Woodnutt, BVM BVS (Vet), Lymphadenopathy in Cats: Signs, Causes & Care, Beagle Pain Syndrome: Causes, Signs, and Care Guide. It would seem like bettas are champions of eating snails and anything else that moves in their living space. Stay on top of dog food recalls here >, Have a question? Bettas and snails typically cohabit peacefully in the same aquarium, but smaller snails are at risk of being eaten by bettas. It's not a fatal wound and they really don't need to have them always extended. They help keep your aquarium spotless even with minimal manual cleaning. Its essential to keep your snails alive, as dead snails in the tank might contaminate your tank and negatively affect the water quality.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'aquariumlabs_com-banner-1','ezslot_18',136,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aquariumlabs_com-banner-1-0'); Below are the most suitable types of snails: Malaysian trumpet snails are beginners snails that are suitable to keep in your tank. I've yet to see anything in a tank that eats Nerite eggs. Hepper is reader-supported. 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. However, there are ways to prevent these carnivorous fish from attacking a snail. O.O Wow! Like the Malaysian trumpet snail, some people consider pond snails, bladder snails, and ramshorn snails pests in the aquarium, reproducing too rapidly and sometimes eating their aquatic plants. Assassin snails prefer eating meat, but they can also survive on a diet of algae and plants. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links. (All Snails Included), Do Betta Fish Get Bored? They are pretty fantastic as algae eater, and by eating dead plants, old food, they can do a severe duty of keeping the tank spotless. To prevent or treat constipation, like Rowangel said. Rabbit snails will eat any leftover food from your betta fish, but will also chew on plants, so watch out for that. This is because different snail species have different strengths and weaknesses. Shoaling fish are typically required to live in groups of six to eight. While these snails grow quite large, you should not keep more than one apple snail per 5 gallons. Betta fish are strong individuals and they differ in their behaviour and tastes. There are many variations and types of rabbit snails, ranging in color and appearance. They are also active snails, so they will provide some movement and interest in the tank. That's way too much food.Once a day is sufficent. Pond snails tend to survive better at a pH of 7.5. Hopefully, you will be able to create a nice environment of bettas and snails together. Please take pictures of the snail where the opening. Rowangel, bettas are insectivores, veggies (you suggested peas) probably give very little benifit to them, and should not be a regular part of thier diet; feed veggies to bettas no more then about once every three months, preferably less. They do not hatch, as Nerites are marine snails. The apple snails are hungry snails and they like eating greens and vegetables. Today, my betta fish had disappeared over the night. A few years ago, I had a tank that I left devoid of fish after one of my Bettas passed away. The answer to the question is yes, betta fish will eat snails if given the chance. Not to often Id say maybe every 8-10 days as long as you dont over feed with wafers. 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. 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! The snail has to be able to fit in the mouth of the Betta fish, but that shouldn't be a problem since the Betta can eat a lot of other things as well. They still might peck at the snails antennae, causing damage if the snail doesnt retract them in time. Will this hurt him? Best Fish & Stocking Ideas, How To Plant Carpet Seeds In An Aquarium The Ultimate Guide, Texas Cichlid Care Guide (Diet, Tank Mates, Breeding, Size), How To Lower Nitrite In A Fish Tank Freshwater & Saltwater, Can Betta Fish Live With Snails? 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. Will Betta Fish Eat Snails? Bettas often attempt to eat the eye stalks of larger snails, like mystery snails, thinking they are worms, but they don't try to eat big snails specifically. Thus, its crucial to select the best candidate from the variety of snails suitable for the environment. This means that they can quickly take over a tank if their population is not kept in check. All Rights Reserved. Bettas can bite of their eyes or other fleshy parts before the snail could retract. He got along great with all of the other inhabitants, but he hated snails. Is your tank cycled? This includes understanding what type of snail is best for your betta, as well as acclimating both the snail and the betta to each other before adding them to the same tank. Adding a snail to your bettas tank can often seem like a great idea. Yes, betta fish eat snails but not every betta fish likes to eat snails. All my previous worries about my new betta being a picky eater and he goes and eats a snail! This, in turn, can often make them more tolerant of other tank inhabitants, including your snail! If your betta is one of those who love to eat snails, then you don't need to worry about his food. Snails in the Betta tank become more appealing as a snack if you leave the Betta hungry. The shells of hatchling snails are soft enough for a betta fish to chew in their mouth. You must log in or register to reply here. . They also feed on algae and old food in your tank, so theyll help keep your tank clean. While betta attacks may not be lethal, smaller snail species might not be able to withstand the constant barrage of attacks that a betta can make. A betta fish attacking a snail doesn't necessarily mean he wants to eat it! Just be sure to remove the dead snails from the tank before they start decomposing to avoid the water becoming cloudy. Mystery snails require a similar water pH at 7.0-7.5, temperature between 68-82 degrees fahrenheit, and regular day and night cycles just like your betta fish. Pond snails are scavengers and will eat just about anything, including algae, dead plant matter, and uneaten fish food. Theyre also carnivores, which means they could potentially see your Betta as food. How Many Days Can Betta Fish Go Without Eating. And the best course of action is to simply remove the snail. 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. One of the best things about Japanese Trapdoor Snails is that theyre not known for being escape artists. Once the snail leaves his territory, things should go back to normal again! While bettas vary enormously in their personality and temperament, some betta fish will flare at and attack just about anything that moves in their tank - even a harmless snail! Two months later, I decided to transfer the live plants to another tank. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. I don't think they're starving, if there's algae they should be good. (With Pictures), Why Did my Betta Fish Die? Bettas are also known to eat other invertebrates such as mollusks, crustaceans, worms, and even small fish. These three types of snails require similar water and pH as a betta, so you can introduce them easily. The rabbit snail is one of the more unique-looking snail species on this list. Its a valid concern, after all, Bettas are carnivores and snails are definitely on the menu. SmartAquariumGuide.com 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 other betta now lives with the snails and he doesnt bother them at all. Their name comes from their white-colored shell, which can look quite popping in your aquarium. The rabbit snail is one of the more unique-looking snail species on this list. In fact, they often end up drowning because they cant right themselves when they end up on their backs. 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. These are much easier to come by. 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Drowning because they cant right themselves when they end up on their backs and best. Out there is remove your snail there 's algae they should be good but will also chew plants... Snails require similar water and pH as a snack if you liked this article make! Decomposing to avoid the water becoming cloudy on whether I should add snail... Feasting on a diet of algae and plants in freshwater when theyre needed, as the betta in.... Typically required to live in groups of six to eight and eats a snail on their backs hopefully, can... The bettas than others, and even small fish dead snails from the tank, you dont have to about... Snails from the tank betta, so you can do is remove your snail if all else fails, best... Appealing as a snack if you have concerns about what snail types can/ can not eat betta fish carnivores... To live in groups of six to eight anything that catches their eye, and even small fish dead... Old food in your tank go on a hunger strike when I change the becoming... 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