Two tiny aquarium helpers in one convenient live-aquatics combo!
This listing includes 50 live freshwater scuds (Gammarus/amphipods) plus 20 live bladder snails.
Both are active freshwater scavengers that can contribute to a natural aquarium ecosystem while also providing a live food source for fish that enjoy hunting small aquatic invertebrates.
Whether you're adding some extra activity to your aquarium, looking for natural scavengers, or giving your fish something interesting to hunt, this little combination can do a bit of everything.
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Scuds are sold unsexed and may include a mixture of juveniles and adults.
Bladder snails will also naturally vary in size and age.
Because these are living animals, size, age and coloration will vary.
Extras may be included when available to help compensate for normal loss that can occur during shipping.
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Scuds and bladder snails spend much of their time exploring the aquarium and feeding on naturally occurring organic material.
Depending on aquarium conditions, their diet may include:
• Detritus and decaying organic matter
• Biofilm
• Algae
• Leftover fish food
• Decaying plant material
• Other decomposing organic material
Together they can become part of the natural clean-up activity occurring throughout an established freshwater aquarium.
They are not a replacement for normal aquarium maintenance, and their effectiveness will vary according to aquarium conditions and available food.
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One of the biggest benefits of this combination is that both scuds and bladder snails may serve as live prey for freshwater fish.
Their movement gives fish the opportunity to hunt and forage naturally rather than simply waiting for prepared food.
They may be suitable as live food for:
• Pea puffers
• Bettas
• Loaches
• Cichlids
• Gouramis
• Other freshwater fish that consume small aquatic invertebrates or snails
Different fish have different feeding behaviors, so always choose appropriately sized prey for your particular species.
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Freshwater scuds are small amphipods that spend much of their time scavenging among plants, substrate, décor and other aquarium surfaces.
They are active, hardy little animals and may reproduce readily when provided with adequate food and hiding places.
Scuds naturally come in different sizes, so your order may contain both tiny juveniles and larger adults.
Juvenile scuds can be extremely small.
Tiny scuds may be difficult to see in the shipping water or may hide inside the filter foam included with your order.
Please inspect everything carefully before throwing anything away.
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Bladder snails are active freshwater scavengers that explore aquarium glass, plants, décor and substrate in search of food.
They feed on materials such as algae, biofilm, leftover food and decaying organic matter.
Bladder snails can reproduce quickly when food is abundant, so their population may increase considerably under favorable aquarium conditions.
For fish keepers with snail-eating species, that ability to reproduce can also make them a useful natural food source.
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Your scuds and bladder snails are carefully prepared for shipment using specialized breathable aquatic shipping bags designed for transporting live aquatic organisms.
Unlike an ordinary sealed plastic bag, this specialized material allows gas exchange through the bag wall while keeping the aquatic environment contained.
A small piece of clean, unused filter foam may be included with the scuds so they have something to grab onto during transit.
Very small scuds can hide inside packing material or be difficult to see in the shipping water.
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Please bring your package indoors as soon as possible after delivery.
After spending several days in transit, scuds may initially appear sluggish and bladder snails may be inactive or withdrawn into their shells.
Give them time to adjust and recover from their trip.
Before adding them to your aquarium:
• Carefully inspect the shipping bag and packing material
• Check for very small juvenile scuds
• Allow the animals to adjust appropriately to aquarium temperature
• Acclimate them according to the conditions of your aquarium
• Avoid sudden temperature or water-parameter changes
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Please remember that you are purchasing LIVE aquatic animals that will be transported through the mail.
Shipping live animals always involves some degree of risk, particularly when temperatures become extreme.
Avoid ordering during periods of extreme heat or freezing temperatures whenever possible.
Also consider weather conditions between your location and the shipping origin, since your package may travel through areas experiencing different temperatures.
Please track your shipment and arrange to bring it indoors promptly after delivery.
A package containing live animals should not be left sitting for extended periods in:
• A hot mailbox
• Direct sunlight
• A freezing mailbox or porch
• A hot outdoor parcel box
• Other extreme temperatures
Orders are normally prepared and shipped within 2–5 business days.
USPS transit times vary depending on the shipping service selected, destination, postal conditions and weather.
If weather conditions appear particularly unsafe for live-animal shipping, shipment may be delayed rather than knowingly sending the animals into dangerous temperatures.
If you're concerned about weather after placing your order, please contact me through eBay messages.
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• This listing includes 50 live scuds + 20 live bladder snails.
• Scuds are sold unsexed.
• Size, age and coloration naturally vary.
• Your scuds may include both juveniles and adults.
• Bladder snails may also arrive in different sizes.
• Both species can reproduce under favorable aquarium conditions.
• Population growth depends heavily on available food and predation.
• Fish that actively hunt scuds or snails may significantly reduce or eliminate their populations.
• Their effectiveness as aquarium scavengers varies according to tank conditions.
• These are living organisms—not manufactured products—so natural variation should be expected.
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50 scuds + 20 bladder snails in one live freshwater combination.
Natural scavengers, interesting aquarium inhabitants and live prey for fish that love to hunt—this combination gives you a little bit of everything.
Questions? Please feel free to message me before ordering.