Hi,

Some of you may know that I have been having parasite problems with my goldfish tank. Well it seems like my 2 big golden snails may be part of the problem and may be permanently evicted from their home. My question now is what kind of home can I move them into. They are used to living in a 12 gal eclipse tank with filter, biowheel, weekly water changes, plants, etc. The life of luxury for a snail I guess. They have been in a small bowl for the past couple of weeks as I have had to medicate the fish tank but now I think I will need to find a new permanent home for them as I do not think it is a good idea to return them to the fishtank as they may be harboring the parasites.

I have an old 2 gal hexagon shaped tank that has an undergravel filter and air pump. I could get some gravel (or could get crushed coral?) and plants to add to it but this is probably the best I can do in terms of size and money. Is this an ok home for the snails? How sensitive are they to water conditions (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) compared to gf? How often would I need to do water changes or vacuum the gravel for them (I am ok with doing it weekly). Do you think they could be ok in this new tank? Anything else I should know?

Thanks for the advice.

Sea, I am in the exact same position as you.

My two Apple Snails have also been evicted from their 20 gal that they shared with 2 Fancies for the same reasons. It has been suggested to me (and it makes perfect sense given my experience) that my two snails are also to blame for recent fluke/parasite problems in my tank.

They are now in temporary dwellings. I am on the look out for a cheap 5 to 10 gallon tank to make their new home.

After all I read about it not being possible for snails to carry parasites that effect fish, I certainly beg to differ. From here on in, I would never recommend mixing them with GF.

I do love my snails and want them to be happy but I will never mix them with fish again.

Sea, it is suggested that snails need 2.5 gallons each and I'd have to agree knowing what unbelievable poo factories they are!!
If the two gal is your only option then I would suggest a 100% water change everyday.
Snails are extremely sensitive to water quality and will ususally climb right out of the water in distress if it's not 100%.

My snails are in an unsuitable 3 gal at the moment whilst I try to find something more permanent. I do a 100% water change everyday (make sure you dechlorinate) and keep it heated to 25C (77F) with a heater.

Let's wait and see what the others say.

Thanks for your message. Actually I was reading your posts which helped me figure out my parasite problem with my gf tank. I am hoping that my gf makes it. He is not doing too well at the moment even after treating with Parasite Clear. I just started increasing the salt today.

I am hoping to keep the snails as they have become "part of the family" during their 2 years with us. I can do water changes several times a week and I guess if I go away for a week or so I can remove the plants so there is less mess? I think they can go without food for a while as I have been told that they find food if none is provided. By the way I never had a heater in the gf tank - it stays above 70 though and the snails seem fine.

Sigh, I am so worried about my fish but need to think of my snails as well!

I know the feeling....I'm worried about them all....then my cat died...oh the tears just never stop these days!!!

I'm glad my posts might have helped you solve your "source" problems. Toothless (Paul) is really excellent at this type of diagnosis. The Droncit (Prazi) treatments and subsequent salting to 0.3% seems to have done the trick for my two. Time will tell.

I will follow your posts with great interest. Fingers crossed. X

So sorry to hear about your cat. So much for you to deal with at once. I am glad your gf are better.


I am concerned since I used a product with prazi in it (the ParasiteClear) and it seemed to work at first but now my fish is worse. Not sure what to do now . . .

Kila, from what I've heard and read, they can carry the diseases and transmit them to fish (that's why alot of people will recommend you quarentine the snails just like fish for a while before putting them in your tank).
The thing is they won't get infected with the diseases themselves but can still carry/transmit them.

I hope y'alls fish are doing allright and will have 100% recovery.
I'm sorry about your cat Kila!