Loach for snail control

Zebra loaches - Botia striata - Like all loaches, they prefer the company of their own kind. I wouldn't stock with less than 4 or 5. I am not sure if that will overpopulate your tank. Their max size is about 4 inches. Mine LOVE snails!

I have one Clown Loach in the 55g that loves snails. It relentlesly searches for snail and destroys them, fun to watch. It's been by itself for 4 months now and is totally fine.

I'd also recommend the zebra loaches and not the clown loach. However my top recommendation would be to try using snail traps.

Soujirou said:

I'd also recommend the zebra loaches and not the clown loach. However my top recommendation would be to try using snail traps.

Click to expand...

+1 on trying manual control of the snails before investing in livestock--why waste the bioload that could be used for a fish you *really* want?

One thing I've found is that snails---especially pond snails--when first introduced to a planted tank tend to immediately go into overdrive, but once established, the population stabalizes and can be controlled with three basic steps: don't over-feed, remove excessive dead plant material, manually remove whatever snails you come across while working on the tank.

Catching 'em in my 37g tall is easy as they love the frogbit at the surface. Easy-peasy to see even tiny snails on them and lift the frogbit out to remove 'em. They also prefer the frogbit to any other plant for egg-laying--so if I see a pack of snail eggs I just remove that bit, which also keeps my frogbit consistently thinned out.

I have the same problem. what is frogbit?