25 Best Snail Eating Fish For Your Tank (2022)

When you think of aquarium residents, you might not immediately expect snails to be on the list. However, as most aquarists can attest, when you have a fish tank, you will also have snails!

And though snails might not seem like a problem at first, they can reproduce quickly and cause many issues in the aquarium ecosystem. You might need to do some snail population management then.

But how do you get rid of snails in your aquarium? Well, that’s where snail eating fish can come swimming in for the rescue!

Keep reading for more information on snail eating fish types for your aquarium.

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Why Do You Want Snail Eating Fish For Your Tank?

While snails can be adorable and even helpful in some circumstances or environments, having nuisance snails in your aquarium can be a sign of problems.

These snails tend to be fruitful and multiply when your tank has lots of uneaten food that is beginning to decompose, as well as plant debris or other organic detritus. And if not dealt with, snails can disrupt plants and fish eggs, and their biowaste can even damage water quality, leading to bacterial infections.

Some snails can be cute, but too many snails are problematic! This is exactly why adding snail eating fish to your tank is essential in certain circumstances.

How Do You Get Rid Of Snails In Your Fish Tank?

There are several ways to make sure your snail population doesn’t get excessive. Chemicals should typically be the last resort, as they can damage the health of other fish tank inhabitants. But try to limit the spread of snails in your aquarium in the first place with the following tips:

• Clean Tank And Change Water Regularly — This avoids creating excess algae growth that snails love to feed on.
• Don’t Overfeed Your Fish — Leftover fish food sinks and begins to decompose on the floor of the tank, attracting snails and bacteria.
• Manually Remove Snails — While tedious, this can be better than relying on chemicals to eliminate them.

But by far, the best way to deal with an out-of-control snail population is by adding some snail eating fish into the aquarium. The fish will make short work of the snails in no time at all, simply by snacking on them!

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Best Types Of Snail-Eating Fish

Do you need to call in fishy reinforcements to help you handle the snail problem in your aquarium? Here are the top 25 snail eating fish (and invertebrates) that will help you conquer them!

1. Assassin Snail

Scientific Name: Clea Helena

Typical Size: 3 inches

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Expected Life Span: 2 years

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons

Water Temperature: 75°F to 80°F

Not a fish, but this snail lives up to its name perfectly. It will hunt, kill, and eat other snails that are smaller, and even breed to create the ideal snail dueling army. Don’t worry though—Assassin Snail populations won’t become too large for your tank.

2. Bala Shark

Scientific Name: Balantiocheilus Melanopterus

Typical Fish Size: Up to 15 inches

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Expected Life Span: 10 years

Minimum Tank Size: 120 gallons

Water Temperature: 77°F

This large and active fish is not only a sleek addition to your tank but also likes to prey on snails, shrimp, and other tiny creatures. Just make sure the other fish in the tank are not smaller, or else they might also be nibbled!

3. Betta Fish

Scientific Name: Betta Splendens

Typical Fish Size: 3 inches

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Expected Life Span: 2 to 5 years

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons

Water Temperature: 75°F to 80°F

Not only are Betta Fish beautiful creatures, but they are also accomplished hunters that like to prey on snails and insects, and will even eat snail eggs to help reduce population sizes.

4. Clown Loach

Scientific Name: Chromobotia Macracanthus

Typical Fish Size: Up to 12 inches

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Expected Life Span: 10 years

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Water Temperature: 77°F to 86°F

While this fish likes to fit snails into its omnivorous diet, the Clown Loach will not take care of the entire problem by itself. However, they will also root through the substrate to find snails to eat, so they are very helpful!

5. Convict Cichlid

Scientific Name: Amatitlania Nigrofasciata

Typical Fish Size: 4 to 5 inches

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Expected Life Span: 8 to 10 years

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Water Temperature: 79°F to 84°F

A unique-looking fish, the Convict Cichlid will hunt live prey in the tank, including snails and small shrimp. You do need to be cautious about any small invertebrates you want to keep in the tank, as this fish will eat anything that fits in its mouth.

6. Cory Catfish

Scientific Name: Corydoras

Typical Fish Size: 1 to 4 inches

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Expected Life Span: 5 years or more

Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

Water Temperature: 74°F to 80°F

These gentle, slow-moving catfish love to pop a snail or two as a snack, and you can often find them combing the substrate for more food flakes, snails, or even snail eggs between feedings.

7. Dwarf Chain Loach

Scientific Name: Yasuhikotakia Sidthimunki

Typical Fish Size: Up to 2.5 inches

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Expected Life Span: 8 to 12 years

Minimum Tank Size: 20 to 30 gallons

Water Temperature: 75°F to 82°F

Active and playful, Dwarf Chain Loaches prey on snails, whether they are ornamental or invasive, up to a fairly large size. And while the Dwarf Chain Loach cannot live on snails alone, this protein source supplements their diet well.

8. Dwarf Crayfish

Scientific Name: Cambarellus Patzcuarensis

Typical Fish Size: Under 1 inch

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Expected Life Span: 2 to 3 years

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons

Water Temperature: 60°F to 75°F

Like miniature lobsters in your aquarium, Dwarf Crayfish are adept hunters and tank cleaners who will not only handle your snail problem, but also clean up algae growths and leftover food while they’re at it!

9. Dwarf Gourami

Scientific Name: Trichogaster Ialius

Typical Fish Size: 2 to 3 inches

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Expected Life Span: Up to 4 years

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons

Water Temperature: 72°F to 82°F

While snails are not their primary food, Dwarf Gouramis will still eat the smaller types that they come across in the tank. These fish are easily spooked but still compatible with other species.

10. Dwarf Puffer Fish

Scientific Name: Carinotetraodon Travancoricus

Typical Fish Size: About 1 inch

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Expected Life Span: 4 to 5 years

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons

Water Temperature: 77°F to 79°F

These puffers are diminutive but absolutely adorable, except when it comes to snails. Because the Dwarf Puffer Fish requires hard-shelled foods in their diet, they are truly an invasive snail’s worst nightmare.

11. Golden Topminnow

Scientific Name: Fundulus Chrysotus

Typical Fish Size: Up to 2.5 inches

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Expected Life Span: Up to 2 years

Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

Water Temperature: 60°F to 75°F

A hardy fish from the North Atlantic, these fish devour insects, mosquito larvae, water beetles, and snails alike. The Golden Topminnow also likes to be kept in a group of 4 to 6 to avoid aggression.

12. Green Spotted Puffer Fish

Scientific Name: Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Typical Fish Size: 5 to 6 inches

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Expected Life Span: Up to 10 years

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons

Water Temperature: 78°F to 82°F

Another adorable type of puffer, the Green Spotted Puffer Fish is a large breed that needs to have plenty of hard-shelled foods to help keep their teeth growth in check. Thus, adding these fish to a tank with a snail problem is a great option.

13. Koi

Scientific Name: Cyprinus Rubrofuscus

Typical Fish Size: 24 to 36 inches

Difficulty Level: Advanced

Expected Life Span: 25 to 30 years

Minimum Tank Size: 1,000 gallons

Water Temperature: 59°F to 77°F

While not every aquarium setup can accommodate these large fish, Koi are some of the best snail hunters you can find. They actually like to suck the meat of a snail from its shell, successfully eliminating the problem.

14. Longear Sunfish

Scientific Name: Lepomis Megalotis

Typical Fish Size: Up to 6 inches

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Expected Life Span: Up to 6 years

Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons

Water Temperature: 68°F to 86°F

If you need your snail population completely obliterated quickly, these are the fish for the job. The Longear Sunfish loves to hunt and munch on virtually any type of snail, and will actively prowl your tank looking for them.

15. North American Ghost Shrimp

Scientific Name: Macrobrachium Lanchesteri

Typical Fish Size: Up to 1.5 inches

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Expected Life Span: Up to 1 year

Minimum Tank Size: 5 to 10 gallons

Water Temperature: 65°F to 75°F

These short-lived little shrimp are surprisingly aggressive and will actively hunt down small crustaceans and snails for food. North American Ghost Shrimp are also ideal for no-hassle snail removal, as they require very little maintenance from their keepers.

Make sure you get the Macrobrachium Ghost shrimp for a snail infestation, as the similar-looking Palaemonetes Paludosus shrimp is not carnivorous and will not eat the problematic snails.

16. Oranda Goldfish

Scientific Name: Carassius Auratus

Typical Fish Size: 5 to 7 inches, with some fish reaching up to 12 inches

Difficulty Level: Advanced

Expected Life Span: 15 to 20 years

Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

Water Temperature: 72°F to 75°F

While most goldfish varieties will happily nibble on snails when they feel peckish, the larger Oranda Goldfish will be on the front lines against your aquarium’s snail incursion. They will, simply put, eat anything that fits in their mouths, so keep that in mind!

17. Paradise Fish

Scientific Name: Macropodus Opercularis

Typical Fish Size: Up to 4 inches

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Expected Life Span: 6 to 8 years

Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

Water Temperature: 60°F to 86°F

Vibrant and active, the Paradise Fish will eat some small ramshorn or mystery snails in your aquarium, but it does not seek them out for every meal. However, if you have the room, these fish are gorgeous and full of life, making them a joy to keep.

18. Polka Dot Loach

Scientific Name: Botia Kubotai

Typical Fish Size: 4 to 5 inches

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Expected Life Span: 8 to 12 years

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Water Temperature: 75°F to 82°F

A uniquely patterned fish that actually can change in color during its lifetime, the Polka Dot Loach is a social species that feasts on a variety of meaty foods, including all types of snails and even many smaller fish.

19. Pumpkinseed Sunfish

Scientific Name: Lepomis Gibbosus

Typical Fish Size: 3 to 8 inches

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Expected Life Span: Up to 12 years

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons

Water Temperature: 40°F to 72°F

Colorful and vivacious, these territorial fish can have issues living in communal tanks. However, the Pumpkinseed Sunfish is an expert at eliminating aquarium pests, including crustaceans, mollusks, and snails, crushing them with their strong jaws.

20. Pygmy Sunfish

Scientific Name: Elassoma Gilberti

Typical Fish Size: 1 inch

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Expected Life Span: Up to 2.5 years

Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons or a nano tank

Water Temperature: 50°F to 72°F

A spunky little fish, the Pygmy Sunfish is more aggressive than its size would suggest and will voraciously hunt down small snails, as long as the shell is not too difficult for them to consume.

21. Rainbow Darter Fish

Scientific Name: Etheostoma Caeruleum

Typical Fish Size: 2 to 3 inches

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Expected Life Span: Up to 4 years

Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

Water Temperature: 59°F to 65°F

If you’re looking to add a splash of color to your tank while also eliminating a lot of the snail population there, the Rainbow Darter is the ideal fish for you. They sparkle in the light as they actively hunt snails all across the bottom of the tank.

22. Spixi Snail

Scientific Name: Asolene Spixi

Typical Fish Size: Up to 1 inch

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Expected Life Span: Up to 3 years

Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons or a nano tank

Water Temperature: 64°F to 82°F

Another snail that will happily munch on others of its kind, the Spixi Snail is a nocturnal hunter that tracks down other snails and their eggs for food. And though they might not be as thorough as Assassin Snails, Spixi Snails will still do a good job.

23. Striped Raphael Catfish

Scientific Name: Platydoras Armatulus

Typical Fish Size: Up to 6 inches

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Expected Life Span: 10 to 15 years

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Water Temperature: 74°F to 86°F

An easy-to-care-for fish that adds a stately appearance to your aquarium, the Striped Raphael Catfish likes to suck food from the bottom of the tank, including any snails or small shrimp it finds there.

24. Yoyo Loach

Scientific Name: Botia Almorhae

Typical Fish Size: 3 to 5 inches

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Expected Life Span: 5 to 8 years

Minimum Tank Size: 20 to 70 gallons

Water Temperature: 75°F to 82°F

This bottom-dweller is not only lively during the daylight hours, but the Yoyo Loach is also known to search through the tank’s substrate for snails of all types to eat, sucking them directly out of their shells.

25. Zebra Loach

Scientific Name: Botia Striata

Typical Fish Size: 3 to 4 inches

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Expected Life Span: 10 to 15 years

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Water Temperature: 73°F to 79°F

Zebra Loaches are a great snail eating fish as they actively hunt the invasive species within their tank, but leave larger ornamental snails alone. These fish are also great additions to a communal aquarium with other species!

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FAQ

Now that we have met the fish that can help you handle an invasion of snails, let’s go over some of the common questions people also have.

Will Snails Eat Live Fish?

Snails will generally not attack or harm live fish in the tank. However, snails are also opportunistic omnivores who have been known to feed off the body of a dead fish if it hasn’t been removed from the tank.

Additionally, if a sick fish is floundering in the tank, the snails might even attach themselves to it and begin eating before it even dies.

Should I Have Snails In My Fish Tank?

Snails have a habit of turning up in your fish tank, whether you purposefully add them or not. However, not all snails are bad—that being said, you can run into a lot of cleaning problems when the tank becomes too full of snails.

This is because snails produce lots of biowaste that can overcome a tank filter that is designed specifically for fish waste. Over time, this unfiltered waste will turn the aquarium water into a dangerous and bacteria-ridden environment for your fish.

Do Aquarium Snails Carry Disease?

Though snails are able to carry diseases and even parasites, not all snails are afflicted with this. However, aquarium snails tend to be safe from spreading diseases to other tank inhabitants.

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Final Thoughts

Snails can be a surprisingly disruptive presence in your fish tank, and getting rid of them can be a true uphill battle.

However, if you bring in the right troops, the war is all but won.

Snail eating fish are the ideal candidates for any aquarium that is dealing with a snail infestation problem. And by eliminating snails naturally you can avoid the use of strong and dangerous aquatic chemicals, as well as providing your fish with some great meals—it’s a win-win!