Many aquarium owners prefer to keep crustaceans like snails in their tanks. Not only do these creatures liven up the tank but also help to keep it clean. However, before introducing snails to a tank, you should assess whether these animals will get along with the fish you have. Since guppies are the most common fish in freshwater aquariums, you may wonder if they can co-exist with snails. So, let us try to find out if these two aquatic creatures will get along. Can guppies live with snails?
Guppies get along with most types of snails. Both of them are friendly and do not attack or chase the other. Nonetheless, some species of snails like Ramshorn snails, Nerite snails, Golden Mystery snails, Malaysian Trumpet snails, and Assassin snails are better tank mates for guppies than others.
Let’s talk about this in detail now.
Snails Vs Guppies
Guppies are friendly community fish.
They liven up a tank with their activity and go about their business without troubling their tank mates.
They rarely display aggressive behavior.
Snails are also peaceful creatures that make great additions to freshwater aquariums. They do a great job of scavenging.
Snails feed on uneaten food and dead and decaying matter in the tank. Thus, they make the tank a cleaner place for the fish.
Most snails prefer a temperature range of 65°F to 82°F.
Guppies also need a similar temperature range. Hence, both creatures can live in the same environment.
As guppies and snails are good-natured animals, they can create a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere in your tank.
You may not see the two species interacting. Nonetheless, there will be no competition for food or resources.
More importantly, there will be no conflicts. So, it will be a peaceful and pleasant habitat for both animals.
Recommended Further Reading:
- What Do Guppies Eat – The Ultimate Food Guide For Guppy Owners
- Here’s Why Guppies Swim At The Top Of The Tank
- Can Guppies Live Alone? – Here Are Crucial Things To Consider
Do Guppies Eat Snails?
Although guppies have a good appetite, they do not chase or attack other aquatic creatures for food.
However, they will eat anything that fits their mouth.
You should keep this factor in mind when selecting tank mates for your guppy fish.
This immense appetite of the guppy will not create problems for snails. Snails have a hard shell that guppies cannot break.
Additionally, most snails are too large for guppies to eat. So, there is no risk of the guppy trying to eat adult snails.
Nevertheless, we cannot say the same for snail eggs.
If your pet snails spawn eggs in the tank and the guppies get too close to them, they may snack on them.
So, if you intend to breed your snails, it may not be the best idea to keep them with guppies.
However, did you know that snails are prolific breeders?
Snail populations in aquariums can get out of control if left unchecked.
In such a situation, your guppies may be able to help.
By grazing on the snail eggs, they will keep the snail population in your tank under control and prevent it from exploding.
Related Further Reading:
- Can Guppies Eat Goldfish Food? (Yes, But Here’s Why It’s Not Ideal)
- Can Guppies Live With Shrimp? (And Will Guppies Eat Shrimp?)
- Can Guppies Live With Platies? (+ How To Keep Them Together)
What Snails Can Live With Guppies?
Here are some of the best varieties of freshwater snails to add to your guppy aquarium:
1. Ramshorn Snails
Ramshorn snails are passive creatures. Their easygoing nature makes them the perfect companions for guppy fish.
Additionally, Ramshorn snails have vivid and attractive colors. Due to this, Ramshorn snails make a beautiful addition to a fish tank.
The only problem with Ramshorn snails is that these creatures can quickly overpopulate a tank.
When they receive good nutrition, they breed profusely. They may also eat your aquatic plants and grow big.
2. Nerite Snails
The best thing about Nerite snails is that you will not have to worry about them overtaking your tank.
These snails will only breed in saltwater.
Since a guppy aquarium will have freshwater, there is no risk of Nerite snails breeding in your aquarium.
Nerite snails will keep the tank very clean. These animals like to eat algae and excess plants.
By doing this, they will make the tank sparkle. Nerite snails also have a very docile nature and do not intimidate guppies.
3. Golden Mystery Snails
Golden Mystery snails are just as interesting as their name.
These creatures have lovely golden shells, and they grow quite big. So, they can make your fish tank look beautiful.
These snails have friendly personalities, and they get along very well with guppies.
They also do a proper job of keeping the tank clean and free of dead and decaying matter.
4. Malaysian Trumpet Snails
Malaysian Trumpet snails are hardy animals that can survive even in the most unfavorable environments.
These snails live burrowed in the gravel, feeding on excess food and aerating the substrate. They will not pester your guppies.
However, Malaysian Trumpet snails can overrun the aquarium and burden the filtration system if left unchecked.
If their rapid reproductive ability does not concern you, they are a good choice for your guppy tank.
5. Assassin Snails
If you are worried about the rapid increase in the snail population in your guppy tank, Assassin snails are the solution to your problem.
While these snails do not attack or harm fish, they are aggressive towards other snails.
As a result, assassin snails can control the proliferation of snails in your tank. They get along well with guppies.
Potential Problems Of Keeping Snails In An Aquarium
The main benefit of keeping snails in an aquarium is that these creatures will keep your tank clean.
They will reduce your burden by promptly clearing any debris and decaying matter in the tank.
Snails will also take care of excess food in a fish tank.
They will help to make the tank a clean and hygienic place for the rest of the inmates.
Nonetheless, too many snails can wreck the natural balance of the aquarium.
The excess waste production will burden the filtration system. Small snails can also clog filter tubes.
It can create problems for guppies as the fish are sensitive to dirty water.
To avoid this problem, you must actively interfere before the snail population goes overboard.
Choose snails that do not reproduce rapidly to avoid snail infestation.
You can also control their nutrition to check their breeding as snails tend to reproduce more when they are well-fed.
Clean the tank regularly to limit their access to excess and decaying matter.
Finally, avoid overfeeding your fish, as it will lead to excess food for the snails.
Interesting Further Reading:
- How Guppies Mate? (Entire Process + Ideal Mating Conditions)
- Do Guppies Eat Plants? (Best Plants To Keep With Guppies)
- Can Guppies Live With Tetras? + Do Guppies Eat Tetras?
- Can Guppies Live With Glofish? And Do Guppies Eat Glofish?
Related Questions
How long do aquarium snails live? Depending on the species, aquarium snails can live for three to ten years. If the water temperature, pH, and other environmental conditions are favorable, they will enjoy a long lifespan. Snails are small creatures that are drastically affected by environmental fluctuations. So, they may suffer stress and die quickly in cold water or when there are sudden changes in their environment.
Will snails eat guppies or guppy fry? It is highly unlikely that snails will eat either guppies or guppy fry. Most snails do not attack other creatures. They are also too slow to catch adult guppies. Adult guppies can swim fast and dodge snails to escape. Guppy fry is also capable of swimming and hiding from slow-moving animals like snails. However, snails will consume dead fish in your aquarium. They are drawn to the dead and decaying matter in a tank, as they are scavengers. So, if they come across a dead guppy in the tank, they will devour it.
