Apple Snails and Assassins

I'm new here and have never intentionally kept snails in my tank before so thought I would post this for some advice.

My tank has a lot of problem pond snails at the moment and as such I currently feed my bottom dwellers every other day to try and keep the population in check. Its helps a little but not enough.

So, having ditched the loach idea (I run a very very peaceful community and loaches just would not fit in), I considered the Assassin. I have so far found out that:
1. Getting just one will not result in a tank full of Assassins (swapping one issue for another)
2. They don't each so much, so would keep the snail population in check without decimating it. I actually think the snails are good for my plants etc so don't want to wipe them out completely.

So far its looking good....BUT...hence the question, I have always wanted Apple Snails in my tank. I have read that Assassins won't eat any snail that is bigger then them, so would it leave the Apple snail alone?

Second to this (and apologies for the length of the post) which type of Apple Snail would be the best for a planted aquarium?

My tank is: 240l heavily planted tropical mature. stocked with Pearl Gourami, Harlequins, Peppered Cory and Bristlenose. Lightly stocked with external filter that is running on half turnover (the plants and gourami prefer it). I have moderately hard water at dh12 and ph 7.5. I use Flourish Excel and CO2 tablets to supplement the plants.....I think thats about it but feel free to ask me if I left anything out.

I'd really like to get some inverts in there that are a bit nicer to look at than a mass of pond snails...

Oops, it looks as though this should be in another section.

Still pondering on this question and hoping to hear from people who keep Assassins with other bigger snails successfully. Perhaps a mod could move this for me to the tank mates section?

Your wish is my command!
I really dont know about this one, the assassins could gang up to take down larger snails, but I have no practical experience of them.
However, I can offer some advice. The best thing to do would be to have lots of food for the assassins, and initially only have a couple of apple snails in with them.

Pomacea bridgsii is probably the best for a planted tank. Asolene spixi would also be a good choice.

Quote :

I have always wanted Apple Snails in my tank. I have read that Assassins won't eat any snail that is bigger then them, so would it leave the Apple snail alone?

Second to this (and apologies for the length of the post) which type of Apple Snail would be the best for a planted aquarium?

I have kept Assassin snails in my aquarium with apple snails no problem. I had loads of MTS that i wanted to get rid of and the assassin snails ate those and didnt even look at the apple snails. That said, the apple snails were adults, not babies. If there were no MTS, I would not trust assassins with baby apple snails.

So as long as you have MTS or ramshorns, they should be fine with apple snails.

Apple snails (P.bridgesii) will be fine in a planted aquarium, as they dont eat plants.

hope this helps?!

Thank you for the replies...and for moving the post

I was only looking at one Assasin snail, to keep the pond snails trimmed down a bit so no worries about ganging up.

Its could to hear you can keep them both, I will keep an eye out to make sure the Assassin doesn't run out of food. I have pond snails in the quarantine tank so I can always swap him into there if he becomes a problem.

By way of an update, I have just received my first snails today!!

I got some trumpet snails to aid the plants, an assassin, a golden apple and a purple striped apple snail.

I have spent much of the morning watching the assassin whizz round the tank...although he hasnt eaten anything yet lol I don't expect he will til he settles down.

I'm looking forward to seeing how they all fit in.

Hi,

I have rams, pond, MTS, Striped Trapdoor, Apple and assassin snails, although not all kept together.

I have about 12 assassins (unless they have multiplied as it is quite planted and bit of a hassle to count them) in a 30L with some MTS, Rams and pond snails. With them there are also young endlers, and Fire shrimps (just like Cherry shrimps just abit more reddish) - from exp the "food snails" seems to be increasing - cause the assassins are finding the food I throw for the shrimps and fish and are eating it instead of the snails...although I do find dead snails (mainly rams) now and then.

Also my friend had his assassins (about 20) gang up on a huge apple it seems - we're not certain if it died and got eaten or got attacked and got eaten - but if you have only a few should be no prob.