Dwarf Puffers and Malaysian Trumpet Snails
Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2018 3:20 pm
Hello all,
New to the forum here but have been trying to search threads on a specific topic of dwarf puffers and MTS'. My apologies in advance if there are lengthy discussions about this that I couldnt find.
I have a 40 gallon planted Community tank that has been thriving very well for 2 years now. Recently, we noticed some MTS shells and figured they were part of the gravel mix or something, until we noticed more and more of them showing up over time and realized we had an MTS infestation. We havent added any new plants, so I assume it came from some new algae eaters that may have had eggs in their digestive system when they were added to the tank.
To control the population, but not eradicate them (im ok with snails for other benefits) I decided to add 4 puffers in the tank. Ive always wanted a reason to add them, but didnt want the need to buy pond snails regularly. So 4 puffers in a 40 gallon tank seemed reasonable to feed the puffers while reducing/maintaining the MTS population.
My concern is that the MTS bury themselves deep into the gravel and only come out when the automatic LED light is at its darkest setting. I assume the puffers are asleep at this time (around 2am) and arent able to eat them. During the day, they hunt all day, but none of the MTS are out. So I occasionally stir up the gravel to bring the snails to the top. It does not appear that the puffers dig into the substrate like my Yoyo Loach does, so is this something to be concerned about? I dont want them to starve and want them to be able to control the MTS population, but from my perspective, it seems that their feeding times are 12 hours off of the snails schedule of coming to the surface. I am just looking for advise as to how the puffers are expected to eat when the snails are buried all day long.
PS: I have not tried using a snail trap or using veggies to lure the snails out during daylight hours yet.
New to the forum here but have been trying to search threads on a specific topic of dwarf puffers and MTS'. My apologies in advance if there are lengthy discussions about this that I couldnt find.
I have a 40 gallon planted Community tank that has been thriving very well for 2 years now. Recently, we noticed some MTS shells and figured they were part of the gravel mix or something, until we noticed more and more of them showing up over time and realized we had an MTS infestation. We havent added any new plants, so I assume it came from some new algae eaters that may have had eggs in their digestive system when they were added to the tank.
To control the population, but not eradicate them (im ok with snails for other benefits) I decided to add 4 puffers in the tank. Ive always wanted a reason to add them, but didnt want the need to buy pond snails regularly. So 4 puffers in a 40 gallon tank seemed reasonable to feed the puffers while reducing/maintaining the MTS population.
My concern is that the MTS bury themselves deep into the gravel and only come out when the automatic LED light is at its darkest setting. I assume the puffers are asleep at this time (around 2am) and arent able to eat them. During the day, they hunt all day, but none of the MTS are out. So I occasionally stir up the gravel to bring the snails to the top. It does not appear that the puffers dig into the substrate like my Yoyo Loach does, so is this something to be concerned about? I dont want them to starve and want them to be able to control the MTS population, but from my perspective, it seems that their feeding times are 12 hours off of the snails schedule of coming to the surface. I am just looking for advise as to how the puffers are expected to eat when the snails are buried all day long.
PS: I have not tried using a snail trap or using veggies to lure the snails out during daylight hours yet.
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