Beth1965

Am i correct to assume that this is what a calcium deficient snail shell looks like? I have already added egg shell.
Thank u

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iloveengl

Hi Beth,

That looks like a serious calcium/vitamin deficiency. Egg shells were a good addition; I also recommend a daily chunk of zucchini to add more calcium and healthy vitamins directly into his system. If that is a gold mystery snail (my guess from the look of the shell type/size) then he should be a solid, smooth, shiny marigold yellow. Another option is the liquid calcium they sell for lizards. Good luck with your little dude. He should be able to recover and develop a harder shell in time.

EDit: If you have soft water, I suggest raising it naturally by adding crushed coral to your water. Snails prefer hard water and it will help his shell.

Beth1965

Thanks for replying, He was (and I know for sure he's a he!!!!, he's very very busy) white when I got him, not gold. Its the lines and cloudy part that looks like calcium deficiency to me. I'll get my hands on some zucc and i do have seachems pH adjuster, should i use that? is it the same thing as crushed coral?
Thank you again, I love my snails

iloveengl

Ha - I was so worried I thought he was originally yellow! Much less scary then. That crazing does look like deficiency, but not as bad as I originally thought. I'm really wary of using any chemical product to affect the ph because they can make the water too unstable and quick changes to a lower ph could quickly kill fish; I'm not knowledgeable about it's effectiveness otherwise. Using crushed coral is a natural way to go about it, but that's really a personal choice.

I know what you mean - we adore our two mystery snails as much as out fishies. They just have SO much personality!

Beth1965

I willl get myself some crushed coral and get some instructions for it. This tank is the only one with no wood and a ph that is acceptable for snails so I want to keep it this way.

lorabell

beth..I had the same problem....getting better now..doing way more zuchini,I added a small bag of (knee high stocking) of crushed coral to one of my filters...also kens fish has an awesome calcium enriched stick food(got that too)...the love it..It has all helped a ton

Beth1965

You're a princess.