jvision Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 So, I've read these awesome stories about assassin snails hunting down ramshorn snails and killing them. I just don't see it. I though that after a week or so of having a minimum of 2 per 10gal (I have over 20 in one tank) I'd be seeing a ramshorn graveyard. I watched the other day as an assassin and ramshorn were on a direct course to each other and it was the ASSASSIN who ducked away when they reached each other. I'm thinking that the assassins are just enjoying the excess food that the ramshorns are chomping on. The tanks that have the ramshorn problem are grow-out tanks, so I'm not really wanting to reduce the feeding. Guess I'm just going to have more kinds of snails.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingin' It Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 (edited) keep in mind that only 2 assassin snails isn't going to produce a large graveyard of empty shells. They only (seeemingly) hunt at night...and it may take awhile for you to notice all the empty shells I've also found that my Spixi snails are carnivorous and eat other snails...even their babies...maybe it's just mine, Idk...lol Edited December 5, 2011 by Wingin' It Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corrosionjerry Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 I had 5 in a 20g long a few months back and there was no dent in the Ramshorn population .... maybe they just do not like the little hardshell snails / probably like pond snails Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 It does take a long time to see a dent in a large snail population. I had a ton of pond and ramshorn snails in my 10g shrimp tank. I added 4 assassin snails and it took weeks before I noticed the population going down and thats why a bare bottom tank where I could see any empty shells. I also added 4 to my 20g that I was noticing lots of tiny baby ramshorns on everything. I added them about 2 weeks ago and I can't see any difference in the ramshorn population. Anyone know how much or how often a assassin kills another snail? They obviously don't go on a murderous rampage killing every snail they see. So do they eat 1 snail a day, every few days, a week? Anyone know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceturf Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 What I think you guys need is T-9000 snails. Like assassin snails, they hunt other snails but much more effectively. However, a bit of a skynet bug i believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayba Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 I had a dozen or so in my 55 gallon planted tank and the progress is slow going. I still had to pick out a ton of MTS. Once the assassins had babies and the numbers picked up they have kept them in check. But the were not a miracle cure, but keep the MTS in check now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted December 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 What I think you guys need is T-9000 snails. Like assassin snails, they hunt other snails but much more effectively. However, a bit of a skynet bug i believe. Ooooh! I'll have to check BigAl's for some next time I'm there! Or do you think they have a mod part in the high tech section? :w00t: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmi7 Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 I have had assassin snails in my 10 and 20 gallon shrimp tanks for about 4-5 months now, am just starting to notice less pond snails. You just have to remember that assassin snails are small and will take time to clean a tank of snails. Mind you the assassins I had were starving do I noticed right away lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishclubgirl Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 My assassin snails are gourmets and don't care for MTS. However, I actually do accept pest snails and let the assassins pig out. Throw in a few ramshorns and all the assassins are like football linemen at a smorgasbord. It might take them a couple of weeks but they get the job done. I have them in all my tanks but couldn't tell you how many per tank though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JORG Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 I put 20 assassins into my 90 gal kitchen tank which was over run with some kind of tiny ram looking snail. I haven't seen an assassin in there for weeks but the tiny snails are gone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PistolPete Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 I had a ram and mts explosion in a 20 long. put 4 or 5 in there several weeks ago. I have no big rams left at all. \the mts appear un harmed. my tank is littered with empty shells Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprucegruve Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 my assassin snails were doing good untill they got to try the snail jello i made for my apple snails. now my assassin snails dont seem to touch other snails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okotoks Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 I have 2 in my 20g planted/shrimp/endler tank and they do a fine job. I found it took 2 months before the 2 assassins started to do their job. I believe snails take a longer time to get accustomed to their new homes and start the assassinating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisher Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 Non-assassinating assassin snails... evidence that we live in a broken world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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