Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Snails and more snails

I noticed about a month or so ago that snails have appeared on my boat ramp rocks, both those out of the water and in ~1-2" of water. I didn't see any last year in this Decemeber 2001 stocked 4.5 acre pond.

There are two types of snails and basically these are (photos available by email):
a. dischoidal - dark brown with light brown radial bands (not longitudinal), small @ 1 to 1.5 cm size
b. conical - left turned, black, very small (~0.5 to 1 cm, most prevalent type observed

What's different from last year:
1. The 15 tons of limestone rock placed for a boat ramp that I put in so Dennis Rhoades could apply 30 tons of ag lime in December 2002.
2. The 60+ water turkeys that became semi-residents during Jan-Mar. The population did quickly diminish after I began reading about some tactics and techniques from this board and after getting my ghillie suit out.
3. I added ~100lbs of crawfish about the same time that I noticed the snails showed up.
4. I am a lot more observant and dangerously learned now after acquiring various information.

I do have shellcrackers (~600 1-3" stocked in Dec01) incorporated in the stocking regime, but figure they can't get into the very shallow water to enjoy a meal.

So, are these a problem, or will they be a problem, and if so, what can I do to rid the pond of these small mollusks? Or should I not even worry about them. All I have read says the redears are the solution.

I plan on increasing the redear stocking rate this weekend by an additional 500 fingerlings as a precaution to make sure there are sufficient predators.

I appreciate any info y'all can provide and I thank you in advance for any assistance.

If you have an fish eating birds frequently the pond like herons, kingfishers etc. they may complete a cycle involving the snails that producr unsightly "grubs" in your fish. However your redears should take care of a good many at some point. You may just have to give them time.

I'm not an expert on snails by any means but maybe they are in shallow water for a reason i.e. breeding, warmer water etc.

Cecil: Thanks for the reply. I do have a few resident fish eaters around that seem to increase in numbers and species with an increase in my pond's productivity.....

According to the website below, having snail eggs develop on rocks in shallow water is typical.

http://www.applesnail.net/content/snails_various.php

I am assuming the snails were not noticed last year because the boatramp rocks were not there.

Like you say and all that I have read, the redears should do their thing.

you seem to have alot more knowledge about this than i do, but in indiana we have severe problems with zebra mussels. any chance that you have them?? they sure clean up the lakes around here and make them look better, but once they show up, they only get worse and eventually completely cover everthing that is in the water.

dischoidal and conical are shapes for describing snails not zebra mussels.

Craig: I checked on the web and found that I definitely do not have zebra snails, but as fast as they seem to be growing I wouldn't be surprised what would show up. BTW, my previous snail knowledge and experiences have only been with garlic and butter and some good goose liver pate.