Red Ranshorn Shell Going White!

[dan86]

Hi,

I am breeding red ramshorn snails in a small 2 gallon tank to feed my South American puffer fish. I bought 4 red ramshorn snails about 2 weeks ago now, and it seems as if their shells are turning white in some places.

I have heard somewhere what in hard water areas lime in the water can dissolve snail shells. Is this true? If so, do any of you have any idea how to combat this, I don't want them dying on me!

Thanks, Dan.

 

[three-fingers]

Well, actually it's the opposite, acidic water dissolves snails shells .

Test your pH, if its below 7 then your pH is too low for snails.

To combat this you can use tufa rock, shells from the beach or coral sand in the tank. You could also add liquid calcium for the snails shells, you can buy it in any good lfs that stocks marine products. People usually use it in marine reef tanks to aid corals growth.

 

[dan86]

well my pH is constant at 8 so im not sure if it is the acidity that is the problem. hmmm... will have to see if it gets better!

thanks.