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Busted Snail

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noobfish

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Stopped at the LFS and asked for a Zebra Nerite. I saw them in the tank and they looked good, but I didn't pay attention to which one was plucked. Fast-forward to home and when I go to put it in the tank I see that a large portion of the shell is white, as if the coloration/pattern had been scratched off. The tip of the spire is also broken off.

Will any of this "grow" back? I'd return it if it wasn't a 1hr round trip for a $2 snail.
 
Colin_T said:
pictures of the snail?
Click to expand...
20210830_180713.jpg
20210830_180728.jpg
 
Possibly it has been kept in acidic water, which allows shell erosion, or it's been mishandled causing damage to the shell.
Every nerite I've bought has had the shell apex missing, it doesn't seem to worry them.

What is the pH of your tank water, and do you have soft or hard water? If it's hard alkaline water they shell should not erode further, though it could if the water is soft and acidic. But unless the shell breaks, the snail inside should be OK.
 
Essjay said:
Possibly it has been kept in acidic water, which allows shell erosion, or it's been mishandled causing damage to the shell.
Every nerite I've bought has had the shell apex missing, it doesn't seem to worry them.

What is the pH of your tank water, and do you have soft or hard water? If it's hard alkaline water they shell should not erode further, though it could if the water is soft and acidic. But unless the shell breaks, the snail inside should be OK.
Click to expand...
6.8-6.9pH
10.5-11dGH

All tests over the past 2 months have fallen within these ranges. Too soft for the snail?
 
That should be OK, it not like 6.5 pH. And your GH has enough calcium for its shell.


I've had a nerite for years, it's shell is pitted and worn but the snail still crawls round the tank all the time.
 
Essjay said:
That should be OK, it not like 6.5 pH. And your GH has enough calcium for its shell.


I've had a nerite for years, it's shell is pitted and worn but the snail still crawls round the tank all the time.
Click to expand...
Thanks!

Like I said, I'd return it for a better looking specimen if it was worth the drive, but it was 50% off sale and only cost $2. As long as it can still do work cleaning tank sides I'm good.
 
noobfish said:
Thanks!

Like I said, I'd return it for a better looking specimen if it was worth the drive, but it was 50% off sale and only cost $2. As long as it can still do work cleaning tank sides I'm good.
Click to expand...
Usually happens as they age....that's not a juvie, I'm sure
 
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