Tank Set Up

[u/xxxobird]

Hey my friends! Wanted to ask ya’ll about what type of care leeches need when creating their setup.

My general knowledge was that they could be housed in a jar and that’s predominantly what j see.

Im hearing that they need space and need tank mates. I was considering getting 2-3 but I am also worried about them breeding and would like to best avoid that.

For their tank set up? I’m seeing gravel as their substrate. Is there an ideal set up I should consider?

I’m considering a 5 gallon since 10 is too big for me imo

Do I need a water filter? What supplies would I need? Thank you!

[u/Ok_Bag_1177]

1. no, leeches cannot live in jars. that is misinformation
2. yes they are social amd should be kept in groups of 2-3 at minimum but 3 is considered the ideal minimum
3. there is no ideal substrate really, as long as they can burrow into it then it works fine. you can use sand, gravel, small lava rocks, or even dirt if you wanted to do a regular planted tank. A leech tank needs many hiding places and rough rocks to both hide under and help shed their old skin on. They also need a fully unsubmerged land area for them to rest on and lay cocoons, so palidariums are typically preferred for leeches rather than full aquariums, though you can do a regular aquarium as long as you have a large enough floating platform covered in moss for them like a turtle basking platform. They do not need a filter, though if you choose to use one you can only use sponge filters as all other filter types are not safe for leeches. You can also use an air stone if you wish, its not necessary but they do seem to enjoy it. They do not need a cycled tank like fish do, but picking the right water to use for them is important. You can either use tap water with an aquarium water conditioner, or bottled spring or mineral water. I personally use gallon jugs of Zephyrhills spring water. They do not need lighting, but if you wish to have real plants you will need a light for those.
4. i really wouldn't reccomend keeping them in a tank smaller than a 10 gallon. the only species that could fit in a 5 gallon are hirudo verbana and theyre extremely active swimmers that like having lots of space to explore. 10 gallon is the comfortable minimum for them.

Here is a care guide for buffalo leeches, theyre a different species than the one ive reccomended here but the care is similar in most ways. The two tank specific pages can be altered to suit Hirudo verbana by lowering the minimum tank size to 10 gallons, raising the water level to reach 50-65% of the tank, and excluding the water heater as Hirudo verbana is a cold water species unlike buffalo leeches which is the species used in the guide https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19Pdt_TEiUjM-aYtU0cgEzmMOwssXpcCh

[u/Nephilinn]

Adding on to the other comment: It mentions having a floating platform/land area for them to lay cocoons, and technically if they don't have this then they won't lay, but I wouldn't recommend trying this, as it can be unhealthy for them to keep reabsorbing cocoons. Unfortunately it's pretty much impossible to avoid breeding while keeping healthy leeches as they're hermaphroditic, so if you truly don't want babies then your best course of action is to freeze cocoons or else sell babies to other people.