Pond snails, particularly Japanese Trapdoor Snails, primarily feed on algae and other organic debris in a pond or water garden. These little scavenging herbivores help control algae growth naturally.
Japanese Trapdoor Pond Snails are the preferred species of snail for recreational and professional pond and water gardeners worldwide. They tend to the bottom of the pond, consuming any decaying matter such as leaves, excess fish food, and even fish waste.
Trapdoor snails are also efficient in grooming planting pots and surfaces like rocks and walls within the water garden. Additionally, these snails are cold-weather tolerant, making them a great pond snail option for most water gardens and backyard fishponds.
How Many Snails Should I Add to My Pond?
It is recommended to have a minimum of 20 Japanese Trapdoor Snails per 100 square feet of pond in order for them to have a noticeable effect on algae growth. For larger ponds, such as farm ponds, a minimum of 200 pond snails is required to see any positive impact.
Unlike some other snail species that reproduce rapidly and can become nuisances, Japanese Trapdoor Snails have live births a few times a year, which prevents overpopulation in the pond.
Snails and Algaecides Don’t Mix
A word of caution in your pond care journey. As invertebrates, snails can be killed by most algaecides. Please be sure to read any precautions and instructions on a chemical before using it in your pond. When provided by the manufacturer, we list this information in the Usage section on the product's webpage.