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I recently bought a little aquarium, which I stocked with live plants to create a sort-of-natural environment.

Tank

I haven't stocked the tank with any fish at the moment, but I have noticed some tiny little snails. They must have been attached to the plants and I'm fine with them being there for now. What I am a little concerned about is whether these snails can survive out of the water? I'm currently watching one moving closer and closer to the top of the tank, where there is a small gap to allow air pipes, etc. through.

Is it likely that these snails will venture out of the water, and into my room, and survive to tell the tale?

Can snails found in fish tanks, survive out of water?

Update: snail is breaching the water.

Cthulhu
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    The snails will not survive for long out of water. Hours at the most. When they are not in contact with water they will dry up and die. I can't find a source, I'm afraid. My nerite snails regularly sit slightly above the water line but they are still wet from the water. – Henders Aug 22 '17 at 20:57
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    Depends on the snail. Some can survive for days if not weeks out of water, same thing can be said of eggs they lay, but it does depend on the species. I'll just say, snails are generally considered a pest unless they're a non malignant variety like nerites which cannot reproduce in a home aquarium. This is subjective, but I strongly recommend controlling and removing them now, rather than later. They can become a huge problem. – Jestep Aug 22 '17 at 22:56
  • @Jestep how would you suggest doing doing this? I intended on getting a couple of loaches when I do stock the tank (soon) and I believe they're quite fond of snails? – Cthulhu Aug 23 '17 at 04:01
  • @WasabePeas Don't worry too much about the snails. You typically can't really avoid them and in a well balanced aquarium they're just something more to watch. We'd need a better picture of the snails to identify them. If you don't overfeed your fish the snail population should control itself and stay at a healthy level while also removing excess food and algae for you. I wouldn't try getting rid of them. – Mario Aug 23 '17 at 05:02
  • @Mario they're really tiny at the moment so I don't think I'd be able to get a good quality photo. If they get bigger and do start becoming an issue, I'll be sure to post a photo! – Cthulhu Aug 23 '17 at 05:06
  • @WasabePeas Most likely bladder snails (pointy transparent houses), so nothing to worry. They often go about an inch above water and then return looking for food. They won't touch living plants or fishes. They're very robust so just watch them while you wait for your tank to cycle (read up on this if you haven't). – Mario Aug 23 '17 at 05:11
  • @Mario that sounds like them - glad to hear they don't eat the plants! Water quality tests have been ordered, so I can keep an eye on this too while I wait. – Cthulhu Aug 23 '17 at 05:16
  • If snails do become a pest, I can recommend the 'snail eating snail': anentome helena. Keeps everything under control, without becoming a pest itself. – Diether Aug 23 '17 at 10:18
  • Omg I have those little tiny snails to in my 5 gallon I have a snail right now in it, but it is Not one of the tiny ones. I had these before I got the snail that is my biggest one so now I have a snail squad XD – Enzo Jan 13 '21 at 05:05

1 Answers1

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What I've gathered through analysing the comments is that bladder snails (identified as the species in question), along with other species, may go above the waterline but will usually return back into the water on their own accord.

From what I've found elsewhere on the web, they do this to feed or lay eggs, or even just to get out of the water if the quality is particularly poor (more likely if all snails are out of the water as opposed to just the one). Another reason I've found is that quite a few species of aquatic snails use lungs to breathe - and so they are simply going to the surface to do this!

But generally, the snails will return into the water on their own!

lila
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Cthulhu
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