Many aquarists have different reactions when they see snail eggs in their aquarium. Some want them out immediately, others are curious, a few want to keep them, and many aren’t sure what they’re looking at!
This resource will teach you everything you need to know about freshwater snail eggs. It covers where to find them, what they look like, and what you can do with them.
Table of Contents
- What Do Snail Eggs Look Like?
- Where Snails Usually Lay Their Eggs
- What You Can Do With The Eggs
- 1. Keep Them
- 2. Use Them To Feed Certain Fish
- 3. Dispose Of Them Before They Hatch
- How Long Does It Take For Snail Eggs To Hatch?
- Final Thoughts
What Do Snail Eggs Look Like?
Snail eggs are just as varied in appearance as adults! Each freshwater snail species lays unique eggs that are distinct and identifiable. So, the exact look of the eggs will depend entirely on the snail species you have.
That said, you’ll know that you’re looking at snail eggs when you see them.
These inverts lay tiny eggs in small clusters. Some species can produce individual eggs, but most are going to lay several at one time. Usually, the eggs stay contained in a protective gelatinous sac.
The color of the eggs will depend on the species. Some are vibrant blue or pink. However, most are white or cream-colored. They’re also semi-transparent and appear to have a jelly-like texture.
If the eggs are fertilized and partially developed, you might see little flecks of black or brown. Snail eggs tend to darken over time as the tiny snail embryo inside grows. Unfertilized eggs, however, will maintain their appearance before souring.
Where Snails Usually Lay Their Eggs
Here’s where things can get tricky! Many freshwater aquarists notice snails appearing without any warning signs whatsoever. These aquatic creatures have a knack for hiding their eggs in some of the most overlooked places.
Snails don’t exhibit too many parental instincts. However, they make sure that the eggs are protected and in an environment conducive to their growth and survival.
One of the most common places you’ll find snail eggs is under plant leaves. Snails favor larger broad-leaf plants, but they can also lay eggs in smaller floating plants or dense grasses.
Snails and their eggs are notorious hitchhikers in the fish-keeping world. It’s how unwanted infestations occur! If you ever end up with snails in your tank without buying them, they probably came as eggs on plants you added to your aquarium!
That’s why it’s important to quarantine plants before introducing them to your aquarium.
You can also sometimes find eggs on decorative items. Snails can choose to deposit eggs on driftwood, rocks, plastic decorations, or even on the glass’s smooth surface.
Author Note: Some freshwater snail species have the ability to breathe atmospheric air and live on land. These species tend to find a happy medium for their eggs, laying them on those few inches of open space between the lip of the tank and the water’s surface. There, the eggs can stay moist without being submerged.
Because most aquarists rarely remove the lid entirely, these often go unnoticed.
What You Can Do With The Eggs
You have a few ways to deal with snail eggs once you find them. The relationship between snails and aquarists is a contentious one. On one side, you have those who welcome these mollusks while others absolutely despise them!
The right choice for you depends entirely on your personal preferences, the needs of your tank, and your aquarium inhabitants’ safety. Here are a few ways to address snail eggs.
1. Keep Them
If you’re looking for a hands-off approach, you can keep the eggs and let them hatch naturally.
Freshwater snail eggs are pretty self-sufficient. You don’t need to do anything to encourage hatching. The sac that encases the eggs will do much of the heavy lifting, providing the protection and nutrients they need. Just let the eggs be!
Having snails in your tank can actually be quite beneficial. That’s why you see so many exotic species sold in pet stores!
Snails are part of the elusive “cleaning crew.” They help to pick up plant detritus and waste that would otherwise ruin the water conditions. Not only that, but they spend their days as fantastic algae eaters that eat whatever accumulates throughout the closed environment.
Like plecos and shrimp, they can serve a valuable and practical purpose. While they won’t replace the filtration system, these creatures can do a lot to cut back on your cleaning duties.
If you have a chronic algae problem, why not let those young snails take care of the problem? They can make quick work of algae buildup, making the issue more manageable. Now, you may have to supplement their food with algae wafers and vegetables. But the continued algae clearing is well worth the added work.
Author Note: Keep in mind that snails are prolific spawners. It doesn’t take long for a single clutch of snail eggs to turn into a severe infestation. The population can explode pretty quickly. If you’re not taking measures to manage the rate at which your snails reproduce, you could be looking at a serious snail problem in the future.
2. Use Them To Feed Certain Fish
If you have snail-loving fish species, you can create a pretty reliable source of food.
Certain fish species thrive on a diet of high-protein and calcium-rich snails. Pufferfish need to crunch on those hard shells to keep their teeth in good shape.
It’s not just the puffer that can eat snails and their eggs. Some other fish with an appetite for these mollusks include:
- Yoyo Loach
- Cory Catfish
- Betta Fish
- Dwarf Chain Loach
- Zebra Loach
- Bala Shark
- Gourami
- Clown Loach
Author Note: There’s also a species of snail that will eat other snails! These are known as assassin snails.
You can provide the eggs to these fish directly. Alternatively, you can let them hatch first. Some of the fish above will only eat baby snails that are easier to digest.
Some freshwater aquarists like to take things even further by creating a separate snail hatchery. If you see the egg clutch, you can move it into a quarantine aquarium where they can continually hatch and reproduce. Thanks to their fast reproduction cycle, you can have an ongoing food supply that doesn’t take much to upkeep.
Even if you just let the eggs hatch in the original tank, you might see your fish consuming young snails every once in a while. These fish species are wonderful for controlling the snail population and preventing over-the-top infestations.
3. Dispose Of Them Before They Hatch
The final option for dealing with snail eggs is to dispose of them.
It’s perfectly reasonable not to want snails in your freshwater aquarium. For many aquarists, these creatures are nothing more than a nuisance.
A growing population of snails isn’t just a cosmetic issue. Snails produce bioload like any other tank inhabitant. On its own, a single snail’s contribution to the waste buildup is pretty insignificant. But what about when there are hundreds of snails in the aquarium?
Suddenly, an out-of-control population is not a minor issue.
Too many snails can quickly raise the ammonia and nitrate levels in the water, killing off healthy fish and creating a toxic environment.
If you want to avoid this risk altogether, physically remove the snail eggs and dispose of them humanely.
For eggs stuck onto the glass, you can use a razor to gently remove the sac. The protective sacs are sticky and can be a little stubborn. Forceful removal may result in a rupture, which could spread the eggs inside and make them more difficult to remove
Be gentle when transferring the snail eggs out of the aquarium to avoid any complicated messes.
The most humane way to dispose of the eggs is to place them in the freezer for a few hours. The cold will halt the development, allowing you to toss them in the bin or compost. Alternatively, you can pop or squish the eggs and let any fish you have gobble up the remnants.
Are you worried about any hitchhiking snails on new plants? There are many ways to treat plants prior to adding them to your main tank.
Quarantine all plants in a closed tank. You should also visibly inspect them to remove any eggs that are left behind.
Author Note: For an added security measure, you can also dip the plant. Many commercial and homemade dips are available to rid your plants of eggs and prevent unwanted snail problems.
How Long Does It Take For Snail Eggs To Hatch?
The gestation period for eggs varies from one species to the next. Not only that, but environmental conditions can speed up or slow down the process, too.
On the lower end of the timeline scale, you might see the eggs hatch in as little as two weeks. Some species, however, can take as long as eight months!
Some snails can also hold onto fertilized eggs for several weeks before laying them. As a result, there’s no way to guarantee a hatching timeline.
As far as water conditions go, the temperature, pH levels, and hardness come into play. Generally, warmer temperatures can reduce the incubation period. A few degrees can go a long way with sensitive eggs.
The same goes for pH and hardness. Some snails prefer hard water and alkali environments. The eggs will still hatch in other conditions, but pristine parameters will dramatically reduce development time.
Final Thoughts
Snail eggs in a freshwater aquarium don’t have to be the end of the world. Dealing with them is significantly easier once you know the information above!
If you’re still a bit unsure about a snail egg situation you have in your tank we’re always happy to help. Just send us your questions!
FAQs
The eggs may take one to five weeks to hatch depending on water temperatures. The warmer the water, the faster the eggs will hatch. A juvenile snail is about 1/100 inch at hatching, but rap- idly grows its first year to several hundred times its birth size.
How do you hatch a snail egg in a fish tank? ›
Many breeders use varying methods, but those are the basics. The same methods may be used for other aquarium snail species that lay their eggs above the waterline. Warmth and humidity are your number one concern, closely followed by ensuring that the clutch does not stay too wet. Hatching takes an average of 2-3 weeks.
Should I remove snail eggs from tank? ›
You should get rid of the snail eggs to prevent them from hatching, growing only to multiply so rapidly that eventually, they'll run out of algae and detritus to eat. As a result, the snails will start to feast on your live plants. Plus, they may clog your water filters.
Can I leave mystery snails eggs attached to my tank? ›
Remove the eggs from the tank when more snails are unwanted. To maximize the chance of hatching, it's best to leave the eggs alone as they contain everything they need. But now you only know the short answer, and there are most definitely some other things you should know.
How often do water snails lay eggs? ›
Depending on the species, freshwater snails will lay their eggs above the water's surface or on the sides of a plant. Most snail species need between two and four weeks for their eggs to hatch. Snails can lay eggs once every month. Snails lay eggs in a tight cluster.
What fish eat snail eggs? ›
Now, let's dive right in and meet the best fish that eat snails and snail eggs!
- YoYo Loach. Scientific name: Botia almorhae / B. ...
- Pea Puffer. Freshwater Pea Puffers. ...
- Dwarf Chain Loach. Scientific name: Ambastaia sidthimunki. ...
- Gouramis. ...
- Bala Shark. ...
- Assassin. ...
- African Cichlids. ...
- Goldfish.
When you receive new plants for your tank, you should sterilize them in some sort of dip (e.g. bleach, hydrogen peroxide, alum). This dip will kill off any snails as well as their eggs.
What are the white snail eggs in my aquarium? ›
Nerite snail eggs can be identified by their small, round shape and white color. You can typically find them attached to hard surfaces such as driftwood, rocks, and aquarium decor.
Is it OK to move snail eggs? ›
Did your snails lay their eggs in freshwater and you want them to hatch? That's not an issue. You can move the eggs from the freshwater tank to a brackish water tank (5-10 ppt) and they will still hatch normally.
Do you have to clean your fish tank if you have snails? ›
Ultimately, snails keep your freshwater aquarium clean by eating what your fish don't eat. However, they can't do it all on their own, so they might need your help and the help of some other cleaning buddies like shrimp or loaches.
GIVING EGGS/HATCHLINGS AS FEED
The eggs / hatchlings can be fed to several animals. Crushed eggs / hatchlings can be fed back to the G.A.L.S. This is extremely beneficial especially for the parent snail that laid the eggs. They are an excellent source of protein.
Can snails lay eggs without mating? ›
Because each snail can produce sperm as well as eggs, they have more than one option when it comes to having kids -- they can either find a mate, or they can fertilize themselves. Going solo comes at a price. Baby snails produced by self-fertilization have lower chances of survival.
Will aquarium snail eggs hatch? ›
Snail eggs hatch between two and four weeks after being laid, depending upon the species of snail in your tank -- of course, assuming they've been fertilized. If fish are not eating the eggs, it is best to leave them where Mom lays them for best hatchability.
Which months do snails lay eggs? ›
Most egg laying occurs in winter but can continue if the soil remains moist. The common garden snail may hibernate during winter if temperatures are too cold by burying itself in the soil or at the base of plants. Some egg laying can still occur in spring if soil is moist.
Can freshwater snail eggs survive out of water? ›
Species that lay their eggs below the water line require the eggs to remain submerged. Other snail species, such as the apple snail, lay their eggs above the waterline. These eggs should not be submerged in water, or they will die. However, the overall humidity should be high, or the eggs can dry out.
Can freshwater snails reproduce on their own? ›
Many species of freshwater snails are hermaphroditic, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs. Hermaphroditic snails can actually fertilize themselves, so all it takes to establish a breeding colony in your tank is a single snail. These snails can also mate with other snails of their species.
How do I control my aquarium snail population? ›
Make sure to regularly prune your plants and scrub off algae whenever you clean the fish tank. Also, use an aquarium siphon to gravel vacuum the substrate and remove excess mulm or organic debris that the snails can use as food sources.
Do algae eaters eat snail eggs? ›
It is possible for algae eaters to eat snails. Plecostomus are bottom-dwelling scavengers that tend to eat a variety of foods, including snail eggs and meat. However, not all types of algae eaters will consume snails, as some prefer fresh vegetation or prey of a smaller size.
What is the clear jelly in my fish tank? ›
This is the most common “slime algae” that aquarists encounter but it isn't actually an algae at all even though it may behave like one. This is Cyanobacteria (often simply called “cyano”). Cyanobacteria are bacteria that manufacture their own food and live in colonies — large enough for you to see them!
What eats baby snails in aquarium? ›
Many loaches – such as clown, zebra, yoyo, and dwarf chain loaches – can use their pointy snouts to poke into snail shells and slurp out the insides. Certain larger cichlids like oscars also enjoy a good meal of mollusks, so don't forget to save some for them.
– Use a Gravel Vacuum
Using a siphon to suck up the snail feces on the substrate is highly effective and doesn't disturb any tank inhabitants. You can also use the siphon to clear poop particles stuck to your tank decorations and plants.
Does water affect snail eggs? ›
Water is important for successful incubation of snail eggs (Ebenso et al 2004).
What do baby water snail eggs look like? ›
The eggs look like clear little jelly bubbles that may have some coloration depending on the species of the snail. Fertilized eggs will usually change color slightly and start to show dark spots over a short period of time, which is an indication that the yolks are developing.
Why are there baby snails in my fish tank? ›
Nuisance snails are often a sign of excessive organic matter in the aquarium such as uneaten food, plant remains or detritus. Reviewing feeding regimes and hoovering out debris with a gravel cleaning syphon are often enough to control numbers.
How many snail eggs survive? ›
A snail may lay hundreds of eggs at a time, so the number of babies depends on how many eggs are fertilized and healthy. Often, between 20 and 50 babies hatch successfully. Freshwater snail babies immediately move into survival mode after hatching, according to the Snail World website.
Will my fish eat my baby snails? ›
Nearly every type of Goldfish species, from common to fancy, will seek out snails to eat. They are more than willing to eat any snail that they can fit in their mouth. However, they will often avoid larger adult snails.
What do you do with baby aquatic snails? ›
Baby snails can also be moved in water-filled plastic bags. Keep baby mystery snails in an aquarium with the parents. Large fish may eat baby snails, so keep fish in a separate tank. If a new aquarium is used, prepare it with plants two to three weeks before adding the baby mystery snails.
How do you manage snail eggs? ›
If your snail eggs reach 10 mm or more in size, it is best to leave them be. If you bother them too much, they might not hatch. However, regardless of their size, all land snail eggs need to be warm and moist. You can cover them with a bit of damp soil to keep the moisture in.
What do snails do after laying eggs? ›
Once they have been laid, they usually will sit for 2-4 weeks before hatching. For anyone with fish in the tank, ensuring that the fish don't partake in any fresh-made snail caviar is important! Before they hatch, snail eggs will generally change shades and darken inside.
Can you touch mystery snail eggs? ›
Researchers warn apple snail eggs, which carry a toxin that can cause serious health issues. Eggs are coated in a slime-like substance and carry a harmful parasite called rat lungworm. These bright pink egg cases contain a powerful neurotoxin so don't touch them.
Infertile or bad clutches have a distinctive smell while healthy/fertile clutches do not. If the clutches are sitting on a damp paper towel, do you see a red/pink stain under one? Only infertile clutches will stain the paper towel.
Do snails make your fish tank stink? ›
A decaying critter (fish, snail, other invertebrate) that has been trapped behind part of your tank décor, a plant, or even stuck in your filter system, a dying plant or sickly creature can put off a terrible odor. The first thing to do is check to make sure that your fishy family is happy and healthy.
Do snails like dirty tanks? ›
Thinking all snails are bad
Snails eat debris and detritus in a tank, along with algae and dying plants. They love it. They thrive on it.
Do snails carry diseases to fish? ›
When the larvae mature in the snail, they are released as larval trematodes called cercaria that infect fish.
How often do pet snails lay eggs? ›
After laying a clutch of eggs, snails are generally ready to reproduce again in six weeks throughout the year. Snails lay between 30 and 140 eggs at a time; that's nearly 480 snails a year! The mating of two snails is possible but extremely painful for both snails, so it's not necessarily encouraged.
How many eggs do snails lay in a fish tank? ›
They generally lay a single egg per mating (but do mate frequently). Each egg takes 1 to 2 months to develop, temperature depending. These eggs are scattered about the aquarium in protected places like plant thickets and driftwood nooks.
How many baby snails can a snail have? ›
After mating they lay around 80 white eggs in a damp, underground nest. The newly-hatched snails have fragile shells and take about two year to mature.
Can two male snails lay eggs? ›
Snails are hermaphrodites, having both male and female sexual organs with the ability to both fertilize and lay eggs. When two snails meet, they will vie for position on who is going to be the male or female. Generally, the deciding factor is which snail gets the better placement of the love dart.
How long does it take snail eggs to hatch in an aquarium? ›
The eggs may take one to five weeks to hatch depending on water temperatures. The warmer the water, the faster the eggs will hatch. A juvenile snail is about 1/100 inch at hatching, but rap- idly grows its first year to several hundred times its birth size.
How long does a snail egg stay before hatching? ›
After the mating process, both snails will produce around 100 eggs, but some species can have up to 400. These eggs are tiny, and they will be dropped into moist soil and covered. It can take up to four weeks for them to hatch.
Too much water will disrupt the hatching process. The humidity and temperature in the incubator must be the same all through the incubation period. The soil to cover the eggs must be light since the hole is just about 2inches deep. Too much heat and excessive soil weight will kill the new snail hatchlings.
Will snail eggs hatch in my fish tank? ›
There is a good chance the answer is: yes. Many snail species breed readily in an aquarium setting – some breed so quickly and prolifically that they are even considered unwanted or pest species. Such effective and rapid breeders can quickly take over an aquarium.
What can I do about baby snails in my fish tank? ›
The first is to introduce snail-eating species of fish into your tank. Puffer fish and certain species of loach such as yo-yo loaches feed on snails and can help to greatly reduce the snail population in your tank. The second control method is manual removal of the snails.
What do snail eggs need to survive? ›
The eggs need saltwater, or brackish water, to hatch. The eggs will not survive in freshwater, which makes Nerite snails ideal for people worried about overpopulation.
What do aquarium snail eggs look like? ›
The eggs look like clear little jelly bubbles that may have some coloration depending on the species of the snail. Fertilized eggs will usually change color slightly and start to show dark spots over a short period of time, which is an indication that the yolks are developing.
How do you know if a snail egg is fertile? ›
Infertile or bad clutches have a distinctive smell while healthy/fertile clutches do not. If the clutches are sitting on a damp paper towel, do you see a red/pink stain under one? Only infertile clutches will stain the paper towel.
How many babies do freshwater snails have? ›
A snail may lay hundreds of eggs at a time, so the number of babies depends on how many eggs are fertilized and healthy. Often, between 20 and 50 babies hatch successfully. Freshwater snail babies immediately move into survival mode after hatching, according to the Snail World website.
Why should you crush snail eggs? ›
This is to make sure they are surly dead, & they do not escape into the wild. Alternatively the crushed eggs/hatchlings can be given as feed. The eggs / hatchlings can be fed to several animals.
What do fresh snail eggs look like? ›
Some snail eggs can be a pink or reddish color, but a clear egg with a small black dot within is much more common. Additionally, they are often clumped together with a sticky substance. Snails will lay them in these clumps to keep them together so they don't disperse and potentially land somewhere that is dangerous.
What does a pregnant freshwater snail look like? ›
You may be able to tell your snail is pregnant by looking in her genital tube. If the genital tube is full of eggs, you can expect her to lay a brood soon. To take a look at your snail's genital tube, hold her by the shell with her body facing you and wait for her to come out of her shell.
