My mystery snail is floating??

[Banafish]

Added 1 to the tank yesterday, added one today.

 

[Banafish]

gh and kh are 35.8 ppm

 

[Colin_T]

It might have air in the shell. Hold it upside down whilst underwater and see if any air comes out. They sometimes float around to get from A to B so it's not uncommon but if it's still doing it in a couple of days, then it has air in the shell.

 

[Banafish]

It might have air in the shell. Hold it upside down whilst underwater and see if any air comes out. They sometimes float around to get from A to B so it's not uncommon but if it's still doing it in a couple of days, then it has air in the shell.

Oh ok, should I raise the kH & gH using eggshell powder? I was concerned since one was floating around with its operculum open. Also, I have tried vegetables like carrot and spinach but they have displayed no interest? What should I do in terms of feeding? Thanks!!

 

[Colin_T]

Your pH is just below 7.0 (6.8), so you might want to add a little bit of limestone or a few shells to the tank to keep the pH around 7.0. If the pH is below 7.0 the snail's shell can dissolve due to acids in the water. It won't happen quickly, especially at a pH of 6.9 but it does happen over time if the pH remains less than 7.0.

You shouldn't need to add anything to raise the GH unless you keep fishes that need hard water (mollies, platies, guppies, swordtails, rainbowfish, goldfish, African Rift Lake cichlids).

You could raise the KH a bit and that would also raise the pH.

 

[Banafish]

Your pH is just below 7.0 (6.8), so you might want to add a little bit of limestone or a few shells to the tank to keep the pH around 7.0. If the pH is below 7.0 the snail's shell can dissolve due to acids in the water. It won't happen quickly, especially at a pH of 6.9 but it does happen over time if the pH remains less than 7.0.

You shouldn't need to add anything to raise the GH unless you keep fishes that need hard water (mollies, platies, guppies, swordtails, rainbowfish, goldfish, African Rift Lake cichlids).

You could raise the KH a bit and that would also raise the pH.

Ok thanks, would crushed eggshell power work? Also I have tried feeding them carrots or spinach but they have shown no interest.

 

[Colin_T]

Snails prefer algae and then fruits/ vegetables like cucumber, zuchhini, pumpkin, spinach

I don't know about the egg shell powder.

 

[Banafish]

Snails prefer algae and then fruits/ vegetables like cucumber, zuchhini, pumpkin, spinach

I don't know about the egg shell powder.

The eggshell powder is for raising the kH, idk if that works? But today one the snails died on me... it wasn’t responding to stimuli when I touched it or when I pulled it’s operculum. It smelt like chlorine. What should I do to help the other snail? Here are water parameters for today. The kH is 15 ppm, the gH is 50 ppm. I read that snails need around 214-322 ppm kH and 143-322 ppm gH, is this why it died?? So sad My water comes from rainwater, there should be no copper. I used to use Flourish Excel, now I only use Flourish Comprehensive Supplement.

This is where I read it:

Mystery Snail - Care Guide

Mystery Snails are one of, if not THE most popular freshwater snails in the aquarium hobby, and for good reason! They are highly unique in appearance with their large and colorful shells, their iridescently marked bodies, and their swaying tentacles. These snails, which come in several different...

aquaticarts.com

 

[Colin_T]

The GH and KH have nothing to do with killing the snail. As long as the pH isn't acidic, the snails are fine. I have kept them in water with a GH of 0ppm and they bred. The pH was about 7.4 and they were fine for years.

If the water quality is bad the snails will die. If the snail was sick before you got it, then that could have killed it. If there is copper in the water, that could kill it.

How long have you had the snails for?
How long has the tank been set up for?
Do you add any plant fertiliser?
Have you used any medications in the tank prior to getting the snails?

 

[Banafish]

The GH and KH have nothing to do with killing the snail. As long as the pH isn't acidic, the snails are fine. I have kept them in water with a GH of 0ppm and they bred. The pH was about 7.4 and they were fine for years.

If the water quality is bad the snails will die. If the snail was sick before you got it, then that could have killed it. If there is copper in the water, that could kill it.

How long have you had the snails for?
How long has the tank been set up for?
Do you add any plant fertiliser?
Have you used any medications in the tank prior to getting the snails?

The one that died I got 2 days ago, the one that isn't dead 1 day ago. The started was set up on the 26th of July, I use Flourish Comprehensive Supplement 1ml a week (my tank is 52l), I used to use Flourish Excel, but now I don't. I've never used any medications.

Is there anything that I can do? Thanks!

 

[Ram419]

I've had mystery snails die when I first obtained them while other live for a long time. Sometimes they are already sick and not sure if there is much you can do about it.

 

[Colin_T]

I would say it was sick when you got it. Wait a few weeks before trying again if you want another one.

 

[Banafish]

Well the other one died today too, should I tell the fish store or something?

 

[Colin_T]

Yes I would contact the store and let them know both snails died. If you still have the snails, take them into the shop and take a separate sample of tank water with you so they can test the tank water. See if they can test the water for copper too.

You should drain and refill the tank with dechlorinated water before adding anything else.

 

[Banafish]

Yes I would contact the store and let them know both snails died. If you still have the snails, take them into the shop and take a separate sample of tank water with you so they can test the tank water. See if they can test the water for copper too.

You should drain and refill the tank with dechlorinated water before adding anything else.

Ok, thank you!