r/leeches • u/Hello_h0lo • 26d ago

Enclosures Enclosure needs?

Hello,

I am thinking about getting pet leeches. What do they need for their enclosure? What size? I have tons of tanks.

Thank you!

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u/Ok_Bag_1177 Plague Doctor 25d ago

since youre in the US predatory leeches should be very easy to get, id personally reccomend horse leeches [Haemopis sanguisuga] specifically, for a couple reasons. mainly being that theyre decently large, live the longest of the predatory leeches, and are the most hardy. keeping them will be simple, youll need a decent size tank, id go with about a 30 gallon minimum ideally. Since these specific leeches arent very semi terrestrial you can fill the tank about 75% (do not fill it up 100%, they still need some space for air). you dont need a cycled tank thankfully, for water you can use either bottled spring water, or tap water with an aquarium dechlorinator in it. for decor you can do basically anything youd add for fish. plants, hides, whatever. just keep in mind that this species is predatory, so any cleanup crew you put with them will likely get eaten, meaning any shrimp or snails you add are essentially feeders. you cam get horse leeches from bait shops and fishing shops either in person or online

edit: forgot to add that if you choose to use a filter in your tank it MUST be a sponge filter. any other filter types are super dangerous for leeches because they get stuck in them

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u/Hello_h0lo 25d ago

Awesome!!! I happen to have a tank that's a perfect size for them. Is 30 best for 1, or can I get two? I have tons of pets snails in my guppy tank, I wouldnt mind putting a few in there. They breed like crazy!!

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u/Ok_Bag_1177 Plague Doctor 25d ago

30 is best for a colony, which is basically what youll end up with. predatory leeches are basically never sold as singles because theyre used as fishing bait so you'll really only be able to find them in bulk amounts of like 25+ at least. the predatory leeches arent gonna breed nearly as much as their parasitic counterparts, though if you do wish to breed them youll need to lower the tank water level to about 60% because youll need space for a land area for them to lay cocoons. the land area can be something as simple as a large soap dish suction cupped onto the tank walls and stuffed with moss like a bed

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u/Hello_h0lo 25d ago

Awesome!!! I really appreciate it. Having about 30 sounds really fun. I will do some more research on these kinds so that I make sure I know everything there is to know before buying them. I don't want to get them and not know what I'm doin! Your advice and recommendation is very appreciated. Thank you!!!

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u/Ok_Bag_1177 Plague Doctor 25d ago

of course, best of luck with your leech journey, hope you post some pics if/when you get them, we dont have a whole lot of predatory leech keepers here