How to Get Rid of Snails in an Aquarium: Effective Tips and Tricks

Got a snail problem? You’re not alone! We know just how to get rid of snails in an aquarium! Snails in your aquarium can quickly go from a minor annoyance to a full-blown invasion! But don’t worry — there are simple ways on how to get rid of them. Get your aquarium back under control with our guide with our simple, effective ways to manage snail populations. 

Where Do Aquarium Snails Come From?

Aquarium snails often make their way into tanks as sneaky stowaways. They can hitch a ride on new: 

• Plants
• Substrate
• Decorations
• Equipment

Also, snail eggs are tiny and nearly invisible — so they’re easy to miss. Before you even know it, those few unseen eggs might turn into a booming snail population! 

Which Types of Aquarium Snails Are Pests?

Now, not all aquarium snails are pests — as we’ll find out soon enough. But there are a few common ones that fall under the “pest category,” like: 

• Bladder snails (Physella acuta): Two words — Rapid reproduction. These small, fast breeders often arrive as stowaways on plants.
• Pond snails (Lymnaea spp.): These guys also have quick population growth. They also tend to nibble on plants. 
• Malaysian Trumpet snails (Melanoides tuberculata): These snails are pros at hiding in the substrate. So, they can be hard to control, and their population can explode quickly in nutrient-rich tanks.
• Ramshorn snails (Planorbidae family): Some people may choose to add them to their tanks. But, they can become invasive and may feed on soft plants.

Though, not all snails are created equal. 

Some like Nerite snails help control your tank’s algae without reproducing in freshwater — it’s a win-win! Mystery snails tend to become large and colorful — making them generally easy to control. Despite their name, Rabbit snails are slow breeders that don’t harm plants and add unique interest to the tank. 

4 Tips on How To Get Rid of Snails in an Aquarium

Now, if you’re sitting with an overpopulated aquarium filled with snails, don’t worry! You can use the following tips to get rid of them. 

1. Manual Removal

Sometimes, the simplest solution works best! Use a net or tweezers to manually remove snails whenever you see them. This method is quick and easy for small infestations and gives you a hands-on way to keep their numbers under control. Just keep an eye out daily so they don’t sneak up on you.

2. Snail Traps

Snail traps are a helpful tool to catch snails while you sleep. These traps are designed to lure snails with bait — like a piece of lettuce or algae wafer — and then hold them inside so you can easily remove them in the morning. They’re especially effective for larger tanks or cases where manual removal might be too tedious.

3. Snail Eating Fish

Adding fish that naturally eat snails can be a great way to manage a snail problem while also adding some personality to your tank. Fish like loaches — such as clown or yoyo loaches — and certain types of pufferfish are known snail enthusiasts. Just make sure the fish are compatible with your tank setup and other fish, as they may have special care requirements.

You can use our free Aquabuildr app to quickly check out fish compatibility!

4. Snail Eating Snails

Believe it or not, some snails prey on other snails! Assassin snails (Clea helena) are popular for this — that’s how they got their name! They’re efficient pest snail hunters without taking over the tank themselves. Plus, they add a unique look to your aquarium! Just be cautious — once the pest snails are gone, you may need to supplement the assassins’ diet.

How To Prevent Aquarium Snails From Coming Back

Now that the problem is dealt with, how do you prevent aquarium pest snails from coming back? Let’s go over a few prevention methods. 

Quarantine New Plants and Decorations

Snails and their eggs often come hidden on plants or décor. Before adding anything new to your tank, give it a quarantine period in a separate container for a few days. This lets you spot any hitchhikers and prevents them from entering your main tank. You can also rinse plants in dechlorinated water or use a gentle snail-removing solution to be extra safe.

You can either use Seachem Safe or Seachem Prime to dechlorinate water. 

Inspect New Fish and Substrates

Snail eggs can even sneak into your tank with new fish or substrate. Always inspect fish bags and substrates closely before adding them to your tank, and if you’re transferring substrate, give it a thorough rinse to wash away any potential eggs or small snails.

This goes without saying — you should always quarantine your fish before adding them to the main tank. 

Maintain Proper Tank Cleaning

Regular tank maintenance is your best defense against snail population explosions. Clean your tank and filter routinely, vacuum the substrate to remove food and waste, and trim plants as needed. This helps prevent snails from finding enough leftover food and debris to fuel their growth.

Avoid Overfeeding

Overfeeding your fish doesn’t just lead to extra waste — it also gives snails an endless buffet! Excess food at the bottom of the tank encourages snails to breed more quickly. Feed your fish only what they can eat in a few minutes, and remove any leftovers promptly to cut off the snails’ food supply.

Got fish feeding questions? Read our guide on feeding fish where all your questions are answered. 

There’s Only Clear Waters Ahead With KaveMan Aquatics!

Keeping pesky snails out of your aquarium is crucial for a happy, thriving aquarium. With these tips and tricks on how to get rid of snails in an aquarium — and prevent them —  you can maintain a stunning tank! 

But if you’re still battling cloudy water or want to take your aquarium game to the next level, don’t miss out on KaveMan Aquatics’ Crystal Clear Aquarium Water book! It’s packed with tips that can transform your tank into the vibrant oasis you’ve always wanted.

Get the free eBook here or if you prefer a book, we’ve got you covered!