White Patches On Apple Snail's Shell

[marieukxx]

I haven't had it long and there are white patches on it's shell. Like if you look a nail file and rubbed it across your nail. White and rough looking. What's wrong with it?

My PH is high temp is 24.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Sounds like the shell has started pitting. Can occur is the snail is not getting enough calium in it food intake. How high is high for you PH. If the snail is new may have had the damage done by living in its last tank.

 

[marieukxx]

Sounds like the shell has started pitting. Can occur is the snail is not getting enough calium in it food intake. How high is high for you PH. If the snail is new may have had the damage done by living in its last tank.

High Range PH is 7.4 I've had him about a week now. It didn't look like that the first day.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Ph sounds fine, pitting is a process it wont occur over night it may have had tiny marks when you got it and there getting bigger as it not getting it calium. Can you post a pic as im kind of shooting in the dark without seeing it?

 

[marieukxx]

Ph sounds fine, pitting is a process it wont occur over night it may have had tiny marks when you got it and there getting bigger as it not getting it calium. Can you post a pic as im kind of shooting in the dark without seeing it?

I'll try and get a decent pic now. Please check back annd try to help me as I really would like to sort this out. I'll try and get one now.

 

[marieukxx]

I got a pick. There is the patch and it's also forming on the pointy part at the back of the shell. I touched it and it dents in. What should I do? I have fish in there so it has to be something safe.

I've had him since last Thursday. Do you think it's my doing or where he came from? I know their PH is low. Mine is high.

 

[nurglespuss]

any chance he got damaged in transit, or has fallen in the tank? looks more like healing damage to me...

Do you have any other snails/bottom feeders in the tank?

 

[marieukxx]

any chance he got damaged in transit, or has fallen in the tank? looks more like healing damage to me...

Do you have any other snails/bottom feeders in the tank?

He wasn't damaged in transit and I don't think he fell. I have a zebra nerite snail in the tank which looks great and is doing great. He was in there first. The damage is only one side and the pointy bit. Also when I first put him in the other fish were putting their mouths (nipping?) on his shell investigating him.

The apple snail goes around the tank and glass at night but I've put in carrot, cucumber and lettuce and he hasn't eaten any.

 

[Littlemonkey]

If you can get some cuttle fish, Dried that People who have birds use. It will enhance the shell and make him stronger.

 

[marieukxx]

If you can get some cuttle fish, Dried that People who have birds use. It will enhance the shell and make him stronger.

I read about that is it safe for my fish though? I used to have birds is cuttlefish that big white thing you hang in the cage?

 

[nurglespuss]

yeah thats the stuff or you can try feeding some high calcium feed (turtle pellets?).

There is a chance (slim) that the damage might have bee cause by the fish, but I think, it might be rasping by the nerite (did he perhaps have a little algae growing on his shell?).

Hope he heals up!

 

[marieukxx]

yeah thats the stuff or you can try feeding some high calcium feed (turtle pellets?).

There is a chance (slim) that the damage might have bee cause by the fish, but I think, it might be rasping by the nerite (did he perhaps have a little algae growing on his shell?).

Hope he heals up!

I didn't see any on him. He likes to go behind the filter ahich is a tight space. Should I not have a nerite and apple together? Do you think it is likely to heal?

 

[nurglespuss]

Should be fine!

I've only seen it once or twice (giant pond snails) so nothing to worry about.

Talking of getting in tight places, I've just spotted my apple snail has accidentally wedged himself, lol, to the rescue!

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Sorry had to go to work, does not look like pitting but keep on eye it, i dont use cuttle bone as its too hard for snails to eat quickly plus it can make water cloudy. You can buy snail liquid calcium but i use tums. Go to the supermarket and get a box. Drop one in the tank wait 10 min. If the snail need it he will make bee line for it. My snails can eat 5 tablets in 20 min lol

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

for my snails I use a small bit of cuttlefish/cuttle bone weighed down and my snails do actually eat it (people say it jsut dissolves into the water) - mine dissolves and gets eaten. I was also recommended crab cuisine for the snails - its made for crabs but has lots of calcium in to make nice strong shells. Well I bought one packet to try it and the snails love it (as does my now-podgy fish). I'll definitely be buying more.