Aquarium snails usually do not escape unless the tank is not maintained properly. Poor tank conditions, unfavorable water parameters, aggressive tankmates, and overcrowded tanks are some of the reasons why snails try to escape. A suitable tank environment is the key for aquarium snails to thrive.
It’s typical for some snail species such as Nerite snails to escape the tank due to curiosity. They do this to explore the environment around them. However, staying out of the tank for a prolonged duration is not a good sign as aquarium snails need to remain moist for survival. So, you need to give your snails the best possible environment. Having said that, let’s now explore the possible reasons for aquarium snails to escape in detail.
Why Do Aquarium Snails Escape?
Given below are the main reasons why aquarium snails try to escape:
1. Poor tank conditions.
Every creature has specific needs to grow and thrive. Suitable habitat is what every pet looks for to live a happy and long life.
Snails also require favorable tank conditions to live as they spend their entire life in the home aquarium.
Snails cannot tolerate toxic water. It harms them a lot and makes them fall sick. High levels of ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites suffocate the snails.
Unlike fish, which do not have an option but to continue living in the poor habitat, snails will try to crawl out of it.
If the tank water is contaminated, snails will no longer live in that environment and try to escape the poor habitat.
2. Unfavorable water parameters.
Different species of snails have different needs for water parameters and temperature.
If the water parameters and temperature do not suit the snails, they will escape from the tank.
Besides, the water temperature also needs to be stable.
So, if you have a low-quality heater resulting in water temperature fluctuation, the snails will be in distress and will attempt to escape the aquarium.
Another point to consider is water hardness. Snails need adequate calcium for the healthy development of their shells.
So, if your tank water is soft and acidic, it will harm the snails’ shells, causing them to dissolve.
All of these factors need to be closely monitored. Otherwise, the snails will be compelled to escape the aquarium.
3. Overcrowding.
Overcrowding is also one of the primary reasons for aquarium snails to escape the tank.
An overcrowded tank prevents the snails from moving freely and suffocates them.
The constraint of space makes the snails anxious, and they may attempt to escape the aquarium.
Tanks should not be overcrowded with fish and other snails. Yes, even too many snails in a single tank induces stress and anxiety in them.
Another reason that may compel the snails to escape is the scarcity of food.
Too many snails in a tank will result in fewer algae, thus resulting in food deficiency.
If the snails are hungry and do not find food in the tank, they will try to escape in search of food.
Moreover, if the tank is overcrowded, be it with excessive tankmates or with plants, the snails will escape in search of a more suitable environment.
4. Aggressive tankmates.
Aquarium snails are usually peaceful creatures. They generally do not come in the way of their tankmates and like to live in harmony.
Snails do not antagonize their tankmates. So, if you keep your peaceful snails with aggressive tankmates, it will make the snails’ life miserable.
The snails will then try to escape the tank.
5. Inadequate food.
Starvation or food inadequacy is another reason for snails to escape the tank. Snails are well-known for their algae-eating abilities.
You will find your snails happily munching on the algae formed on the aquarium decorations. Snails also scrap all the algae from the plants.
So, if the algae in your tank are less and you fail to feed the snails to their satisfaction, they will look out for alternative food sources.
If the snails do not find any food around them, they will try to escape the tank in search of food.
6. Inappropriate substrate.
Snails do not prefer rocky substrates, particularly Nerite snails.
This is because their lower body is delicate, and if you have a substrate with sharp edges, it can injure the snails.
Also, if you have decorations in the tank with rough and piercing sections, they may harm the snails.
In such a case, the snails will try to escape the tank in search of a comfortable place.
Alright! Now that you know the possible reasons for aquarium snails to escape, let’s also discuss the ways to stop snails from escaping.
How To Stop Aquarium Snails From Escaping?
Snails are considered to be escape artists as they find numerous ways to escape the tank.
So, you need to be vigilant. Snails are better off in water as their survival chances are more in the water.
Therefore, it is advisable to resolve the issues that encourage snails to escape the aquarium.
It is not very hard to keep snails happy. You can follow the below-mentioned practices to dissuade snails from escaping.
1. Be knowledgeable about snail species.
Snails belong to one of the largest classes of organisms. There are many recognized snail species, categorized into marine and freshwater snails.
So, you must have sufficient knowledge about your pet snail species’ natural habitat and water requirements.
For example, Nerite snails thrive well in brackish water as their natural habitat is salty and brackish water.
So, it is better if you know in advance whether your snails are freshwater or marine water. This will help you set up a suitable environment for the snails.
In return, the snails will not try to escape the tank in search of a better habitat.
2. Create a favorable environment.
A favorable living environment is the pre-requisite for snails to live a long and healthy life.
Snails will not escape the tank if you improve their living conditions.
A favorable environment involves suitable water hardness, clean and non-toxic water quality, appropriate water temperature, and proper pH levels.
Your tank water should not contain substances such as ammonia and nitrites, rotting organic substances, fish or snail waste, and left-over food.
Water hardness is another factor that should not be overlooked.
Snails need calcium intake for their shell development. Hence, they prefer hard water that is rich in calcium.
You can use limestone and crushed coral to increase water hardness.
Additionally, you can add calcium supplements to your tank water if you notice any signs of wear on the snail shells.
3. Maintain appropriate water parameters.
Maintaining appropriate water parameters is another way to dissuade snails from escaping.
If you provide suitable water temperature and pH levels, snails will be happy and will not try to escape.
The ideal water temperature for freshwater snails ranges from 72°F to 82°F. The ideal pH level is anything in the range of 7 to 8.
Also, you need to ensure that your tank water does not contain any copper since it’s lethal to snails.
4. Avoid aggressive tankmates.
Snails are peaceful creatures and like to crawl in their own territory. Hence, you should avoid keeping aggressive or large fish that can stress the snails.
Aggressive and large fish bully and even eat the snails. So, it is better to avoid keeping them as tankmates.
If you do not want your snails to escape, you need to pair them with equally peaceful and small creatures like guppies, tetras, and shrimps.
5. Avoid overcrowding.
Just like fish, snails need ample space to live. So, you should avoid overcrowding the tank as it will lead to space constraints.
Your aquarium should ideally be spacious so that snails can live happily.
Besides, if you have a bigger and less crowded tank, your snails will have enough space to crawl and explore the tank.
They don’t have to escape or climb out of the tank in curiosity.
6. Have a suitable substrate.
An appropriate substrate is another way to discourage snails from escaping. As you saw earlier, snails get injured if the substrate has sharp or rough edges.
Alternatively, you can cover the bottom of your aquarium with a sand substrate.
This will ensure that the snails will not get hurt. They can easily crawl on the delicate sand without the fear of getting hurt.
If you opt for gravel in your tank, you can choose the gravel with rounded edges.
Also, the tank decorations should not have any sharp edges.
7. Provide adequate food.
Most of the snails are primarily algae eaters.
So, if you notice that there is not enough algae growth in the tank, you should adequately feed the snails alternate food.
You can feed the snails, blanched vegetables, carrots, zucchini, and even algae wafers.
Since snails are voracious eaters, they need food to munch.
So, the best and the easiest way to prevent snails from escaping the tank is to provide them with a stable food source.
8. Maintain water level and keep tank lids.
Another way to prevent snails from escaping the tank is by maintaining the water level.
You should not fill your tank to the brim. You can keep the water level a few inches below the top.
This will ensure that the snails won’t escape in search of a dry place.
Also, you can place a lid on the top of your tank.
The lid will not only cover your aquarium but will also help in keeping the water clean.
However, the lid should not be airtight. Otherwise, the gas exchange will not take place smoothly, and your snails will suffer.
You should also ensure that there is no opening in the lid for the snails to escape. Else, the lid will not serve its purpose.
Some of the aquarists apply products like vaseline on the tank’s upper sides to make them slippery.
The snails then can’t climb out of the tank. However, this isn’t a good approach. It should be your last option if nothing works.
