Snail friendly fish list (compiled)

[pbgroupie]

Friendly Fish

Corydoras catfish
Cory's are small, peaceful catfish which are ideal for the community aquarium. The commonly available species are generally hardy and easy to breed.
Examples:
• Albino/Bronze cory
(Corydoras aeneus)
• Peppered corydoras
(Corydoras paleatus)
Rainbowfish
Rainbowfish are colourful and active shoaling fish, which are often overlooked as community fish, probably partly because the juveniles seen in the fish store are not showing their impressive adult colouration. Dwarf species are suitable for smaller tanks.

Suckermouth Catfish/Plecos

These fish, popularly known as plecos, are an extremely docile fish. Active during the night, they will feed along with your snail. Smaller specimens may latch on to your snail, but there is no danger.






Iffy Fish
Livebearers

This common species of fish is a good community fish and are hardy. These species include Platy’s, Guppy’s, and Swordtail’s.

Barbs and Rasboras
These are an active and colourful addition to any community tank. Not all are peaceful, and some grow quite large, but the species listed opposite are ideal for the general community tank.
Examples:
• Cherry barb
(Barbus titteya)
• Golden barb
(Barbus semifasciolatus)
• Five-banded barb
(Barbus pentazona)
• Harlequin
(Rasbora heteromorpha

Danios
Hardy, active shoaling fish with no special requirements.

Dwarf Cichlids
Unlike many of the larger cichlids, the dwarf cichlids from South America, and some from Africa, are generally peaceful, and only become territorial when a pair are spawning. Most only grow to around 2" (5cm) long.





Aggressive Fish
Loaches
The loach species make an interesting addition to the community aquarium. The species listed below are sociable towards other fish and best kept in groups. Note that some other species of loach, includingt the clown loach, can be aggressive, especially toward apple snails.
• Clown loach (AGGRESSIVE!)
(B. macracanthus)
• Pakistan loach
(B. almorhae/lohachata)
• Zebra/Candy-stripe loach
(B. striata)

Paradise fish
Though small, they can be aggressive and aren't recommended companions of other slow moving fish such as Angelfish. Body color is dark red, with several blue vertical bands running along the fish. The upper body and head are spotted in black.


Bumblebee catfish
Relatively undemanding fish. They are primarily nocturnal, but once well-settled in an aquarium and given retreats, they will venture out and be seen looking for food. Although peaceful towards most fish, individuals may be territorial toward one another, and very small fish are regarded as food.




Info Courtesy of:

http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/easyfish.htm

http://www.adelaideaquariums.com.au/Faq ... lebee.html

snailfin mollies are usually nippy little devils if they're adult males, so those should maybe go on the "iffy" list.

Don't forget kuhli loaches. They are very peaceful and snail friendly. I don't have any trouble with my harleqin rasboras, neon, black, and red eye tetras, or my endlers, either. As always, it can depend on the individual fish, and not always the species either.

Raphael catfish can be added to the "friendly" list. Mine is about 5 inches long, but doesn't bother any of the snails.

The only Cichlids that I've ever known to be okay in a snail tank are German Dwarfs and Peacocks. Malawi Cichlids are definitely bad in snail tanks as they will simply suck the body of the snail directly out of its shell.

IMPO, Ryukins are like most goldfish and to me are iffy. I know mine existed happily with my snails until the fish got to be about 6 or 7 inches ling, then they started nipping and feelers.

Beware with Dwarf Puffers.

Gouramis can be picky to snails, but it depends on the individual.

Fresh water shrimp are pretty harmless and usually the most vulnerable critter in a mixed tank.

Amano and cherry shrimp are safe with snails of any size, but ghost shrimp are not. Any of the long armed shrimp enjoy escargo.

My experience with Angels was very negative. Big bullies. Constantly picking on everyone else.

hatchets and rummy noses are great (docile, stay out of the way, cute).

[Lupin]

Loaches:
Hillstream loaches
Kuhli loaches
Weather loaches

A few others I can add to the list that are snail friendly:
Cypriniformes:
Hengeli rasboras
Espei rasboras
White cloud mountain minnows
Celestial pearl danios
Rasbora boraptensis
Boraras maculatus
Boraras merah
Boraras brigittae
Siamese Algae Eaters (Crossocheilus siamensis)
Garra flavatra
Garra cambodgiensis
Garra taeniata

Anabantids
Honey gouramis
Sparkling gouramis
Licorice gouramis
Chocolate gouramis
Samurai gouramis
Pearl gouramis

The only issue is most species mentioned above prefer acidic waters so I am sure shell erosion would be a problem there although these fish won't bother them in any way possible. On the other hand, calcium dosing can alter the water chemistry leading to increasing incidence of finrot, etc among the fish that are not accustomed to hard water conditions.

Catfish (aside from corydoras and plecos)
Hara hara
Glass catfish
Agamyxis pectifrons

Characins
Black Neon Tetra(Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi)
Black Phantom Tetra(Megalamphodus megalopterus)
Black Skirt Tetra(Gymnocorymbus ternetzi)
Bleeding Heart Tetra(Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma)
Cardinal Tetra(Cheirodon axelrodi)
Columbian Tetra (Hyphessobrycon columbianus)
Diamond Tetra(Moenkhausia pittieri)
Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae)
Emperor Tetra(Nematobrycon palmeri)
Flame Tetra(Hyphessobrycon flammeus)
Glass Bloodfin(Prionobrama filigera)
Glowlight Tetra(Hemigrammus eryhthrozonus)
Green Fire Tetra (Aphyocharax rathbuni)
Green Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon simulans)
Head-and-Tail-Light(Hemigrammus ocellifer)
Jewel Tetra(Hyphessobrycon callistus)
Kerri Tetra(Inpaichthys kerri)
Lemon Tetra(Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis)
Loreto tetra(Hyphessobrycon peruvianus)
Neon Tetra(Paracheirodon innesi)
Penguin tetra(Thayeria boehlkei)
Red-eye Tetra(Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae)
Red Phantom Tetra(Hyphessobrycon sweglesi)
Rosy Tetra(Hyphessobrycon bentosi)
Rummy-Nose Tetra(Hemigrammus bleheri)
Rummy-Nose Tetra(Hemigrammus rhodostomus)
Rummy-Nose Tetra(Petitella georgiae)
Silver-tipped Tetra(Hasemania nana)
X-ray Tetra(Pristella maxillaris)

Pencilfish (all species)
Hatchetfish (all species)

Hope that helps.

[jesseque]

how about angel fish? not getting anymore fish anytime soon but was kinda interested in those?

[Winterlily]

VERY nippy as I understand it.

[nachoqtpie]

Aww... my beloved Guppies are in the Iffy category.

I've actually never seen my guppies ever bother my snails. They may eat their own young, but, never bother the snails! LOL

[BlackGoldMysterys]

I have had two betas, they always leave the snails alone.

[Winterlily]

Bettas leaving snails alone is absolutely an exception - you're very lucky! Most bettas will not tolerate snails (or anything else) in the tank, and harass them badly.

[Flying_Snail]

this is really handy to know.
I have two Apple snails, I think there spiked topped apple snails (I've been doing my research on the funny little critters).
I have five black neons and three male guppies (million fish). The guppys can be a little nippy and boisterous to each other, and enjoy playing catch with my blacks, but no aggression to the blacks or each other.
I see them cleaning the snails shells occassionally, and no nipping at the snails.
I want a bottom dwelling fish, the corys at my local pets at home look nice, but would they be to big because they live in groups? Coz of my small tank???

[pbgroupie]

That would depend on the size of your tank, but 3 to 5 corys would work and some stay smaller than others.

[xXColtzFanXx]

Banjo catfish I would recomend for anyone looking for a neat little fish. They like groups of 3+ and are the friendlyest little guys with my snails. The snails glide right over them and the most they get for it is the catfish moves.

I curently have a betta in my comunity tank and have before the misconception is their a mean nippy fish. They will nip anything with long flowy fins beacause it looks like another betta but anything that has an esagular body shape and is docile itself is good. Because people think theyre agresive they put them in with even more agresive fish and they tend to be the ones picked on. (Never had a problem with my bettas at my snails either.)

[Wendylou]

I didn't see anything bout Mollys...are they ok with snails?

[pbgroupie]

Mollys are like platys. Can be nippy so keep an eye on them.

[Pineapple]

Just wanted to add my fish/snail experiences

My angelfish were very relentless in attacking the snails when the angels where younger, (under 1 year) and the snails were larger and more active (25cent+).

Now I have 10 less than dime sized baby apples in with my 2 1/2 year old angel, who has mellowed out. But they won't be staying in there - once they get big enough, and active, those tentacles look like tasty little treats. Angels are smart, if they see a snail as food, there is no changing their mind. I wouldn't mix the two, unless you have another tank for the snail to be moved to if needed.

Also, my bettas have all been great with snails in the past, male and female, but bettas vary in aggression, so if one betta is ok with snails, it doesn't guarantee the next will be.

Finally, honey gouramis and sterbai cories are great with apples.

[Maddybelle16]

Bettas leaving snails alone is absolutely an exception - you're very lucky! Most bettas will not tolerate snails (or anything else) in the tank, and harass them badly.

LOL I have 3 male bettas, and 2 of them love my snails! I just set up a new 16 gal. tank with 1 betta, and my 6 diffusas. My betta likes to sleep on top of the snails, and never nips feelers. I've had LOTS of bettas over the last few years, and in my experience, the males from petshops and Wal*mart are least likely to be nippy. Be VERY careful with trying to put females, shortfinned males, and ANY betta from a breeder in a community situation - it could end badly.