If you put a limestone rock in shallow water I bet you can tell if you have snails within a week. Algae will grow on the rock, and snails will be attracted to the algae.

I lined my ponds edges with 2-3" limestone crushed rock and the snails seem to love the fresh algae that grows abundantly on the limestone. If I get a rain event that causes the pond to rise a few inches, the area of increased water will have a fresh, bright green band of new algae, and the snails will be concentrated in this fresh band of growth. It also appears to me the RES must eat the snails up as far as is practical for them to get, as the really shallow water maintains more snails. When the water gets cold in the fall, look for the snails on the underside of rocks or leaves.

It is my understanding (but I'm no expert) that RES eat many of the same things that BG or CBG would eat. Insect larvae, minnows, etc. It is just that they also have the capability because of the crusher plates to crush and eat snails and snails happen to be one of their preferred food sources.

But in the absence of snails, I think they will eat other stuff.

John

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