Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have noticed a huge number of fresh water snails in the ponds.
I put some in the aquarium and the goldies ate them quick smart.
There are massive amounts of them.
I will google soon and prolly have the answer in text but wonder what experience people have had.
I was even thinking since they grow so fast i might even set aside space for the critters if they are good food.
Escargot for fish thats a bit luxy.

I have 2 differnt types in my system and for the most part they are okay...
but from time to time ythey make it up the plumbing and clog up the works, which can be irrotating... my 4 goldies like them too, as does my redclaw (but we crush them for him)...
I know that sometimes they have been known to carry disease, but not sure if it is a 'snail' disease' or one which could affect humns and/or fish...

All in all, I leave them to eat the scraps and use them as food from time to time (but I do not alow them into my decrotive indoor aquarium)

Cool...I just found out there are 12 variaties of them.
I just have to workout which ones I have.
The info didn't have any negative aspects.
Thanks for the input!!!

They are the bane of the aquarium keepers world. they reproduce faster than rabbits and are nearly impossible to get rid of.

Having said that, BRING THEM ON!

They perform antoher beneficial task of eating stuff that the other inhabitants dont, and all the while fattening themselves up. I have no doubt that many fish would relish them. I may even try to get me a few. feeling lucky and want to send me some.

Johhnie7au, don't freak, i'm only HALF serious do you think it would be a no-no?

Did a closer check of my snail population on the way home today - there were thousands in the 4 ponds, some HUGE (well, for their normal size anyways)...
More goldfish and redclaw feed than I tyhought I had!

1 big goldfish = NO SNAILS.

For the 3 species of snails I tried anyway. They even got at the big mystery snail, tore his armour plated foot off.

I can see snails being a complete bastard in pipes and pumps especially if you maintained 6 monthly like me (pipes never).

They can crawl in small, grow... Ouch! Floods and F words.

they were the reason my one growtower flooded! went up the outlet pipe and the damn things GREW!

oh.
Well is shall have to just watch them then.
Aparently there are 35000 species heaps in south oz, in fact the ones in south oz are found all over the world.
Am wondering about the last bit, thinking the research may have only been done there.
Food for thought or fish as the case may be.

maybe they could be utilised in a small "tank" before the return?

Yes was thinking the same Steve.
Completely seperate system maybe an overflow chamber from grow tubs.
Aparently they don't leave the water unless I am moving them to the slaughter tank.
Note: I have added a pic of seedlings, sorry for crappy photo.
Time to get a new camera.

They are very happy (they must be as they are breeding like crazy) in the barra ponds... I dont mind them there as they seem to feed off of the fish poop etc... will take a photo of the piles of egg 'nests' and snails some time this week.

So I think your saying their good and bad!
From what I have seen there is no way I will get rid of them,
so may as well enjoy them.

yep... go the way of using them as living vacume cleaners... which when crushed are a source of food fo some fish...

If you can find a way to harvest them easily, they are excellent chook food.

oo, good idea there too - keep forgetting that there is more to life that vegies and things that live in water