Snails and axolotls

xxianxx

xxianxx

Well-known member
Joined
May 19, 2011
Messages
2,748
Reaction score
149
Points
63
Location
South Wales, Gwent
Country
Wales
Display Name
nai live
I have seen quite a few posts recently about snails being an impaction risk/choke hazard to axolotls. I would be interested in peoples opinions and experience. I keep snails in all my tanks and have had no problems, I actually encourage them to colonize tanks as an additional source of food for all of my amphibians. The only persuasive argument against snails I have seen is the pic in "species mixing disasters" with an axolotl with a snail stuck in its mouth Caudata Culture Articles - Species Mixing Disasters . Snails are considered to be a natural prey item for wild axolotls and though an argument could be made against snails with exceptionally hard shells like trumpet snails, which may pose an impaction risk or large snail species with which are relatively large compared to individual axolotl and may cause a choke hazard ,to write them all off as a danger is misguided. My snails peacefully coexist with my amphibians till they are eaten and I have had no fatalities which are snail related, infact my syphon has probably killed more amphibians than all the reported snail problems on this site.
 
I have used snails, but they have only been eaten. I did not feel they were a risk whatsoever, but did not want to debate it, so I kept quiet. I would definitely encourage many types of small pond snails to colonize my adult tanks if they'd be able to. Small axolotls seem like they'd have a problem, so I'd be weary of that, but that's only because I have not tested it. I've never had any snail related problems, other than my present lack of the little mollusks.

~Anthony
 
If snails were STDs my 10 gal would be a $2 whore. It's absolutely infested with physid (sp?) snails. You know, the little ones that reproduce like wet gremlins. Anyway, there's been a whole lot of snail-axolotl interaction in there and no problems to report so far. Also Duke Togo and Carlos (my assassin snails) are also in there and no reported fatalities (axolotl that is, there quite a collection of empty snail shells in there.
 
I'm pretty sure the choking hazard only really apply with large species of snail like apple snails. The little snails that infest through plants shouldn't be an issue, and I've never had a problem having them in the tank. Yes, if the axolotls diet was solely comprised of little snails, that would be a serious Impaction risk. But one little mollusk once in a while - I don't see that as an issue, and it clearly isn't for most people.

I think the whole choking hazard hype is just people taking the apple snail problem as including all snails ever.
 
Antgarner said:
I would definitely encourage many types of small pond snails to colonize my adult tanks if they'd be able to. Small axolotls seem like they'd have a problem, so I'd be weary of that, but that's only because I have not tested it.
Click to expand...

I have had copious amounts of snails in with small axolotls and have not noticed any problems. I stated that an argument could be made about relatively large snails being in the tank which could potentially pose a choke hazard, however I personally disagree with any conjecture that it is a large risk. The species mixing disaster link is the only real reason that people on this site state the dangers of snails to axolotls, yes it may be a risk but it is minimal. If you care to check utube you will see lions being killed by warthogs, zebra and buffalo etc, predation is not just a risk to the prey but occasionally the predator in this case I believe the risk to an axolotl eating a snail is very small, if the risk was large you would see far more evidence of snail related deaths. When you see the number of axolotl related deaths reported on this site due to high temps , poor water quality and general lack of care the risk of snails doesn't even figure.
 
I found my tank infested with those little tiny snails, they are pretty hard, but I think axies are a lot hardier than we give them credit for. I'm doubtful that an axolotls whole diet consisted of harmless worms. I'm sure a snail would be more likely to be found. On a separate note, I wonder how many axolotls have become impacted due to snails
 
I read on another thread about the axolotl/snail problems but there was a post on it that said that small pond snails, the ones with the thin shells, would be ok with axolotls.

I got quite a population of pond snails in my pond outside and was thinking of adding them, and some other stuff, to my axie tank. I imagine that I would need to quarantine. How to you quarantine? How long do you need to quarantine for?
 
Snails in my tanks have been a huge blessing when it comes to clearing algae. I don't (can't) have axolotls, but all of my tanks with 5 different species have pond snails inside.
 
I'm not against keeping snails and as said, you see more fatalities from axolotls becoming impacted from gravel substrate than from eating snails. There are several larger species I wouldn't recommend but otherwise I feel they're no harm. I have personally never kept snails only due to the fact I always have other food sources readily available,at reasonable prices. It doesn't bother me having to out and get food and my axolotls are very well fed. I feel buying snails in my case, although they do populate, is just more money to spend. I still wouldn't count them as "risky", however.
 
I leave snails in with my animals and they get eaten. It is strangely entertaining watching axolotl trying to pick off tiny snails from the glass.
 
I ended up with half a dozen small snails in my tank after introducing some live plants (pesky stowaways). I now have two smug Axololts and half a dozen empty snail shells :rolleyes:. They seemed to enjoy the 'chase' and did not appear to have any issues consuming them or subsequently passing them.
 
I know this thread is a little old, but I just wanted to point out how useful it is.

I personally keep snails with my axies, or at least I don't try to remove the pond snails after they are introduced.

I also keep mystery snails with the axolotls as well. They don't THRIVE in the colder temperatures but they do ok. All of the mystery snails are big enough to where they won't fit in the axolotls mouth but small enough so that the axolotl will not fit into the shell of the snail.

But more then anything I wanted thank everyone for posting on this thread so that I could make informed decisions when it came to snails!
 
I use snails as food, Always pest snail varieties though.

I wouldn't use my larger breed snails as food since their shells are harder even as babies.
which is possibly where the impaction or "don't feed snails" threads came from. At least thats all I can think of.
 
I kept a mystery snail in with Stanley for a while until I was chastised by someone on the forum.. so now I bought a whole new tank for that snail, and its filled with mollies now. Lol.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4
 
I have a few stowaway snails that appeared just after I added some plants. Not big enough to cause a problem (probably pond snails) but one of my axies seems fascinated - watched them for a while, decides they are not big enough to eat and swims off.

I'll remove them if I think they are getting too big - if they last that long...
 
Having watched a few snail hunts I have come to the conclusion that the Axies do not necessarily swallow the snails whole, certainly the few 'kills' I have seen I have involved the axie knocking the snail off the glass onto its back then grabbing the edge of the snails foot with it 'teeth' before thrashing its head about until the snail is pulled from its shell, snail is then slurped up with the shell being discarded. I have pond snails in all my tanks.
 
I heard something about their foot/door being sharp enough to slit an axie throat... is that true?

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4
 
I have not personally heard that but I have heard of species such as Apple snails which have a 'trapdoor' posing a risk as the trapdoor means the snail can become lodged inside the axie causing it to become impacted or have the snail stuck in it's throat.

emmyk said:
I heard something about their foot/door being sharp enough to slit an axie throat... is that true?

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Back
    Top