Do Angelfish eat snails? That’s always the popular question when the beginners start raising this fish.
I have found myself confronted with snails in my tank so many times that I did not anticipate them. There have been times when I liked it because of the natural atmosphere that it brought to the aquarium.
Nevertheless, I preferred to get rid of them the majority of the time. The only issue I had was that I was very interested in growing angelfish, so I immediately asked myself the obvious question; do angelfish eat snails?
There is a very small chance that angelfish will eat snails because they are typically too big to fit in their mouths.
Yet despite their omnivorous characteristics, cichlids may nibble on the smaller ones occasionally – that is due to the fact that their cichlids regularly eat everything.
You should familiarize yourself with the different types of snails you will encounter in your aquarium to be able to tell how your angelfish will act. Several of them act differently around angelfish, which you will notice later on in this article.
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Are Angelfish Capable Of Eating Snails?
Anglerfish can be a little aggressive at times. Although this is not the case with every angelfish that you find, it is well known that they have aggressive tendencies.
Angelfish do not have a great interest in snails because they can’t fit them in their mouths. Despite that, they do enjoy eating anything they can get their hands on.
It is quite possible that some owners of angelfish will complain that their fish eat their snails’ antennae and cause them to be sick.
However, there are also instances when they might nibble on relatively smaller snails. However, angelfish and snails could but rarely coexist peacefully in the same tank as they are both winged creatures.
Occasionally, you may find snails in your tank due to an accident, and they can pose a serious problem for your tank.
However, some people choose to keep snails in their tanks for one reason or another.
The more familiar you become with the snails’ characteristics, the better off you will be. It will be possible for you to tell how your angelfish will behave around them if you do this.
Snails That Angelfish Eat
Nerite Snails
There is quite a following for these snails among people who are fond of aquariums.
Why is this? Because they eat more algae than most other organisms and are more efficient at it as well.
Because of this, you can rely on them to keep your tank free of debris. Both freshwater, as well as salt water, can be used with these filters.
In contrast to their Malaysian counterparts, freshwater snails are not as prone to reproduce as their saltwater counterparts.
In addition to that, you don’t have to worry about your freshwater angelfish being overrun by snails because this is the ideal setup.
As long as you can provide them with enough algae for their voracious appetite, nerite snails will adapt to most aquarium conditions.
These snails have nice personalities and will get along with most fish and shrimp. Furthermore, they are available in a variety of trendy colors that are bound to give your aquarium a fresh look.
Assassin Snails
Considering how quickly they reproduce, they may constitute a threat to human populations if their numbers increase.
At the same time, people tend to love the real if for no other reason than because of their elegant appearance.
Despite their yellow and brown stripes that run across the surface of their shells, they are typically called ‘bumblebee snails’ because of their name.
These are intriguing qualities that make them a great addition to most aquariums, if only as a part of their aesthetic value.
There is also a name for them called Assassins, no doubt because they eat smaller snails.
These snails are called pests by some people. The snails that are called pests are likely to attack larger snails as well if they have the numbers to do so.
They are therefore frequently seen in aquariums by people who want to keep snail populations in check.
Currently, there is no definitive answer to the question of whether angelfishes have a relationship with them.
The assassin snails have a peaceful relationship with angelfish, and many breeders will tell you that.
Nevertheless, many people have reported instances in which their snails were eaten or squished.
Angelfish are less likely to eat assassin snails in general as they are a small species. However, this is not impossible to happen.
When looking at reproducing a hybrid, there are two individuals needed to make a successful hybrid.
Moreover, it is imperative that they are properly fed as well. They are likely to become a problem under the right conditions, as previously stated. Although they can survive temperatures that are below zero degrees, they choose not to.
Golden Inca Snails
Aquaria-containing friendly fishes are preferred by Inca snails. The angelfishes are among their favorite fishes.
However, some of them are aggressive in nature which may put your snails at risk. Hence, you might want to consider keeping your Inca snails somewhere else on your property instead.
This yellow color makes them very appealing to the eye. The reason that people love this snail is not just because of its attractive appearance, but also because of the rate at which it eats algae.
This rate is higher than most snails. During the day as well as at night they will remain active.
In other words, you can trust them to do a good job at cleaning your tank. There is an argument that the tank cleaners developed by these companies are the best tank cleaners in the world. They do have an appetite for oil and do not shy away from it.
The explanation for this could either be that they eat all the algae in the tank, or eventually turn to eat your plants.
Therefore, it’s critical to feed them extra vegetables as well. In any other case, they are likely to cause problems in the future.
Compared to most waste management firms, they produce a considerable amount of waste. Although they are easy to care for, they are still one of the top choices for beginners due to the fact that they are easy to keep.
Pond Snails
Pond snails are a species of snail you seldom see people growing. The animals have a reputation for being a nuisance, so when they are spotted in a tank people are immediately alarmed.
When pond snails lay their eggs, the eggshells will adhere to everything in the aquarium.
Furthermore, the rate at which they reproduce is also a concern, as they can threaten the habitat of your angelfish very quickly.
They can also be small, but that is also what concerns me. This means that there is a high likelihood of the angelfish eating the sunfishes.
For instance, if you look at the spiral-shaped shells of ramshorn snails, that is exactly the case.
The reproduction rate of these fishes is manageable, and they can live peacefully in an aquarium if they are not overcrowded. Even so, if things go south, angelfish will be able to eat them.
Snails That Angelfish Don’t Eat
Malaysian Trumpet Snails
There are a lot of types of them that are commonly found in aquariums. One of the reasons why they are popular is because they make the aquarium completely clean.
The aquarium will be completely unharmed by their presence. They have the advantage of being inexpensive, and easy to care for, and as long as they stay with their food, they are usually loyal. This makes them an ideal addition to most tanks that they can be kept.
First and foremost, since burrowing is their favorite pastime, they are able to aerate the sand and gravel in the tank, which results in pockets of gas being released.
Additionally, the chickens will naturally poop in the sand and gravel, providing fertilization and allowing your plants to remain healthy for longer periods of time. Furthermore, they are not concerned about the sewage water.
Therefore, you have to take care of them and prevent them from affecting your angelfish. This snail is able to reproduce without the males, even though they live for only a year or two. They are also quite efficient at reproducing.
You may end up overflowing your water tank if you don’t take steps to reduce their numbers.
Your angelfish will certainly not simply eat them and make your tank overflow. Snails such as the Malaysian Trumpet snail are generally ignored by angelfish.
Mystery Snails
The strange thing about mystery snails is that instead of taking the eggs, they give birth to live snails.
You can discover them in a lot of freshwater aquariums, as they eat algae in a reasonable amount, and they are therefore found in places where angelfish are kept.
It grows up to 2 inches across, is available in a wide range of colors, and has a whorl characteristic on its shell.
On the other hand, mystery snails are known for eluding captors. Therefore, it is important to keep the lid tightly closed. This will help ensure they will not disappear when you wake up.
Keeping them alive isn’t too hard because they don’t require much. Despite their large size, they don’t eat your angelfish very often, but if you put them in the right environment, they can even grow quite large.
A typical diet for them consists of not only the leftovers of your fish but also waste that you may discard.
They are thus trustworthy keepers of your fish tank, so you can trust them. The tank still needs to be cleaned, but it doesn’t have to be as strenuous.
Apple Snails
Consider introducing apple snails to your tank if you wish to keep snails but are concerned that your angelfish could turn them into a snack.
There have been reports that these snails can grow as big as six inches, which makes them very large snails in comparison. Angelfish cannot consume these snails.
They are able to survive both in and out of the water because they have lungs and gills which means they can breathe underwater.
Those can be found in a number of colors, so if you prefer to infuse some life into your tank, there are plenty of options for you to choose from.
A snail that can eat rotting vegetation is an excellent choice if your aim is to keep your tank clean.
However, you should also know that some of them even eat healthy plants in order to supplement their diet.
There is no doubt that pigs produce a lot of waste. It is important for you to take this into consideration before getting them into your aquarium. Otherwise, you are likely to find more problems than you solve.
Apple snails require their water to be changed every week if an individual has them. The snails, even though they eat algae, do a decent job of doing so. In this way, they serve many important purposes for people.
Sulawesi Snails
There are a number of benefits to working with these snails just like working with the nerite snail.
In general, because of the way they consume algae, they aren’t quite as voracious.
For this purpose, you should be avoiding depending on them necessarily, which is one of the reasons why.
However, as I mentioned above, they are peace-loving creatures, they are unlikely to agitate the other inhabitants of your tank, and thus they are less likely to be eaten by angelfish.
Their reproduction is also quite slow, making them less likely to attract predators.
Ivory Mystery Snail
A snail with ivory-colored shells is commonly called an ivory mystery snail. These snails can be found in aquariums and will eat any leftover fish food left over from your previous feeding.
Also, you can add fish flakes and pellets, as well as any vegetables you would like to include in the water as food for the fish.
Since these snails grow to quite large sizes, you may not be able to feed them to your angelfish in the first place, due to the fact that they become rather large in size.
Therefore, I would like to point out that large fish tend to act aggressively toward big snails.
If your angelfish have grown past their average size, then this might become a problem for your biggest ivory fish if they have become bigger than average.
In some cases, angelfish don’t attack other creatures in order to eat them as much as they do so because they are hungry.
Where Do Snails Come From?
Snails in aquariums are not a necessity for some people. Therefore, it comes as a great surprise to them when they wake up one random morning to find that there are at least two snails or slugs in their aquarium.
When those few snails multiply quickly, the bafflement quickly turns into shock when, not long after, the tank becomes an unsightly mess, thanks to their untidiness.
The snails are making people wonder where they came from and how they got there.
Through the live plants that you are continuously adding to your tank, you will inadvertently introduce snails into your tank.
A snail’s eggs can be much smaller than a pinhead. So they will not be noticeable to you when you buy the plants.
Similarly, young snails have the same problem. There are not microscopic organisms, but they are small enough to be missed by you if they aren’t carefully watched.
Your fish retailer is probably responsible for the source of the smaller, younger plants if they scooped up some of them while you were buying your fish.
If you have decorations in your tank, they can also accidentally introduce snails to your tank.
Infestation begins when a few snails are introduced to your tank. The snail population of a small island can explode with a few tiny eggs as a result.
Which Snails Should You Keep In Your Angelfish Aquarium?
If you are a fan of snails, most people will recommend that you get some nerite snails. Freshwater does tend to stunt their reproduction (including those angelfish living in shoals that can be found in shoals of freshwater).
As a result, you will probably not have to worry about them overrunning your tank. This is because they consume so many algae, which is ideal in your aquarium.
The algae will be removed, which in turn will keep your aquarium relatively clean.
Another type of sail that is very useful is the apple sail. There are many colors that are available, which is what makes them appealing to people who care a great deal about the appearance of their aquariums.
The giant clams are also very large. They can grow up to 6 inches long, making them a more difficult meal for aggressive angelfish.
Detritus and algae are part of the diet of trumpet snails. It is their ability to burrow into the soil and gravel rather than their appearance that has made them so popular.
Can Some Snails Be Harmful To Angelfish Tanks?
The owners of fish tanks generally don’t have any problems with snails growing in their tanks.
Occasionally, they can also make a significant impact on companion species, such as angelfishes, if they become agitated by them. The following are some of the main reasons why snails are bothersome:
You will be unable to use your filters because they will disable them. You should not make the mistake of thinking they intend to do that.
Many of them enjoy hiding inside things as much as they enjoy eating. However, that can cause a lot of problems for your aquarium as a whole.
When your snails die, they will release ammonia into the water, which will cause the water to become unsuitable for your fish and shrimp.
There are some snails which reproduce far too rapidly, creating an imbalance in your aquarium because they are overrunning your tank.
If you want to keep the best snails in your tank, I strongly suggest that you purchase snails that consume algae. Although some snails eat algae and healthy plants at once, you need to be aware of that.
What Threat Do Snails Pose To Angelfish?
Some people find themselves wondering if snails are dangerous to their fish and if they ought to be aware of this.
Some people, however, understand how unreasonable the idea is. In addition, a dismissive attitude toward this issue really needs to be discouraged by you.
There is no need for you to worry about snails physically chasing your angelfish around, no matter what size they are.
There is no doubt about that much. In order words, health angelfish are the only angelfish that can live for quite some time.
Snails will prefer sick and weakfish, especially if they are already dead, so if your fish are already sick that will be in their favor.
In addition, the issue of snail killers is also something that needs to be considered.
Chemicals are designed to kill snails and some chemical companies make them specifically for that purpose.
It is possible, however, that you may accidentally harm your fish by adding those chemicals to the water in which you keep your plants.
You should keep this information in mind the next time you feel tempted to use straightforward methods to rid yourself of snails.
Are There Benefits For Snails in Angelfish Tanks?
Snails do not all have bad qualities, as has been mentioned above. The essential thing to keep in mind is that snails since they eat algae, leftover fish food, and other particles that would otherwise spoil the environment, will maintain a clean environment in your tank.
The snails will eliminate toxic gases from your substrate by aerating and they will also eat smaller snails that will otherwise be a nuisance.
For aesthetic reasons, some people add snails to their tanks in order to provide them with a more natural look.
The reason behind this can be attributed to the variety of snails that exist in the world. You will be amazed at how many snails have bright colors that are completely unexpected.
Freshwater snails are not fond of angelfish eggs and fry, so you should be careful not to let them around them.
There is no need for you to be concerned about the creatures negatively affecting your angelfish breeding habits.
Snails can be used for a variety of purposes, but it is important that you select the right snail for the job.
Video About Do Angelfish Eat Snails
Conclusions
Generally, snails and angelfish are able to live together peacefully without creating any problems.
The fact that snails are very interesting to you shouldn’t be a cause for concern. It is still important to remember that snails tend to thrive in fish tanks and exhibit rapid reproduction.
It would, however, be prudent to check whether the snails are those that could be consumed by angelfish if they cause any problems for you.
The only alternative would be to look for other means through which these contaminants can be eliminated permanently.
Annette M. Chaney is an experienced marine biologist with over 20 years of experience as an aquarist and fishkeeper. She started her first aquarium at a young age, filling it with frogs and goldfish obtained from the ten-cent pet store.
Annette grew up caring for and breeding African Cichlids, which led to a hobby in high school that doubled as a profitable means. Attending Reed College gave her time to solidify herself as an accomplished aquarium caretaker with an eye for sales. After that, from 2009 – 2013, she studied at Roger Williams University – one of the most prestigious universities for Aquaculture and Aquarium in USA. She is the founder of AquariumCircle since 2010.