Which snails can I keep in a 3 gallon tank?
Nano tanks are super cute and can be a lot of fun, but stocking options can be tricky for tanks less than 5 gallons. Oftentimes, budding aquarists inquiring about stocking their 3 gallon tanks are met with the simple answer: "shrimp or snails." Well, that's a little vague. Which snails can fit in a 3 gallon? Below are my top three recommendations. Let's take a look.
Colorful, inquisitive, and spunky, ramshorn snails add both a pop of color and an endearing liveliness to your tank. Feeding off algae, decaying plant matter, and leftover fish food, ramshorns are wonderful at keeping the tank clean. However, their bioload should not be discounted — just like other aquatic pets, snails produce waste that must be removed.
Bladder snails are one of my personal favorite species of snail, but in the aquatic snails community, there are many mixed feelings. Due to their speed of replication, many owners deem them pests. Unlike ramshorns, bladder snail eggs can hatch after a week or so. With their golden, speckled shells and voracious appetite, I find that in the right conditions, they're a perfect cleanup crew!
Their egg sacs are clear, as are the eggs, which grow whiter as they develop and prepare to hatch. They're a lot of fun to watch, and they're fantastic groundskeepers! If you see your bladder snail floating, don't be alarmed. This is just a cool party trick they can do. After trapping air under their shell, they can float around for ease of travel and/or looking for food. Just be sure to test your water if you notice them doing this for prolonged periods of time. Though they are durable little guys, they still need clean water.
Telling the difference between pond snails and bladder snails is simple: just check the shape of the antenna. Unlike the thin antennae of bladder snails, pond snails possess thick, triangular antenna, usually white or cream in color. Compared to bladder snails, pond snails are noticeably larger, reaching a max size of two to three inches. As hermaphrodites, pond snails favor reproducing sexually, but like ramshorns and bladder snails, they can also reproduce by self-fertilization. The egg sacs resemble that of the bladder snail.
Ramshorns
 |
| credit: Catxx, wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) |
Colorful, inquisitive, and spunky, ramshorn snails add both a pop of color and an endearing liveliness to your tank. Feeding off algae, decaying plant matter, and leftover fish food, ramshorns are wonderful at keeping the tank clean. However, their bioload should not be discounted — just like other aquatic pets, snails produce waste that must be removed.
Ramshorns come in a variety of colors and sizes. While Colombian Ramshorns are magnificent in their own right, I would advise against using them in anything smaller than a 5 gallon tank, due to their size. Standard size ramshorns will work just fine, as will micro ramshorns. Colors include blue, red, pink, brown, and leopard (spotted shell). Blue and pink ramshorns tend to be more expensive, but many find that it's worth the added cost.
You don't need to buy many to start a little ramshorn herd, as they are hermaphrodites capable of both sexual reproduction and self-fertilization. Laid underwater, their egg sacs are clear, with the eggs either a cream or even a light blue color. These eggs can hatch two to five weeks from the date they were laid. This is typically why these snails are considered pests by some: ramshorns can lay eggs every couple of days or so. However, as long as you are careful not to overfeed, the population should remain under control. Eggs can be removed if desired.
Local fish stores and even some chain pet stores may sell ramshorn snails, or there are many listings on sites such as Amazon and eBay. Be sure to supplement calcium either in water or diet (e.g., blanched cucumber and/or kale) to support healthy shell growth.
🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌
Bladder snails
Bladder snails are one of my personal favorite species of snail, but in the aquatic snails community, there are many mixed feelings. Due to their speed of replication, many owners deem them pests. Unlike ramshorns, bladder snail eggs can hatch after a week or so. With their golden, speckled shells and voracious appetite, I find that in the right conditions, they're a perfect cleanup crew!
Like ramshorns, bladder snails feed off of algae, decaying plant matter, and leftover fish food. They are incredibly hardy and tolerant of a wide range of tank conditions. In my experience, they live between a couple months and a year, though it's possible for them to live longer, though not by much. As hermaphrodites, they reproduce either sexually or by self-fertilization, though they prefer the first method, as this produces stronger offspring.
 |
| My pet bladder snail, Sailor, eating some algae |
Their egg sacs are clear, as are the eggs, which grow whiter as they develop and prepare to hatch. They're a lot of fun to watch, and they're fantastic groundskeepers! If you see your bladder snail floating, don't be alarmed. This is just a cool party trick they can do. After trapping air under their shell, they can float around for ease of travel and/or looking for food. Just be sure to test your water if you notice them doing this for prolonged periods of time. Though they are durable little guys, they still need clean water.
Bladder snails are really pretty, and they're very peaceful. Should a parasite or foe try to attack them, these snails have the unique ability to rapidly shake their shells back and forth. It's reminiscent of a bucking bull. They will absolutely flourish in a 3 gallon tank, filling it with life and vitality. Despite their reputation, I cannot recommend them enough, especially for nano tanks.
🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌
Pond snails
 |
| credit: Pfctdayelise, wikimedia (public domain) |
Telling the difference between pond snails and bladder snails is simple: just check the shape of the antenna. Unlike the thin antennae of bladder snails, pond snails possess thick, triangular antenna, usually white or cream in color. Compared to bladder snails, pond snails are noticeably larger, reaching a max size of two to three inches. As hermaphrodites, pond snails favor reproducing sexually, but like ramshorns and bladder snails, they can also reproduce by self-fertilization. The egg sacs resemble that of the bladder snail.
Comfortable in even a 1 gallon tank, pond snails will make themselves at home in a cozy 3 gallon tank. Like the other snails mentioned here, their care is relatively simple: they feed on algae, decaying plant matter, and leftover fish food. Be sure to sprinkle some in every few days.
🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌
Final Thoughts
These snails are perfect for a nano tank, and with a little care, they can even be housed together (so long as bioload is taken into account). They are also good as beginner snails, as they can tolerate harsh conditions. Of course, don't subject them to such needlessly, but they can tolerate learning curves.
Be careful not to feed them foods heavy with copper, which can cause illness or even death. Supplement calcium either in water or in diet (check out my mystery snail guide for a detailed explanation of this) to support healthy shell growth.
And, most importantly, have fun! Their antics are so amusing, and they're a unique pet, to be sure! Go crazy with decorations and plants. Just make sure anything you add is soft, so it won't injure your snail's foot. Silk plants available at chain pet stores or online are a good bet, as are live plants. Be wary of painted ornaments, as the paint can chip off. Otherwise, you can create a lovely snail wonderland however you please!
Happy snailkeeping!