Help!! Mystery snail has shell issues!!

[andy36yr19]

My mystery snail has white specks on its shell and it's also turning black. The paramus: nitrate 10 nitrite 0 ph 6.8. Its in a 20 gallon with 1 betta, 12 neon tetras, 4 ghost shrimp, 2 baby bristlenose plecos, 1 other snail with a cracked shell but I added a cuttlebone which should help that snail.

 

[Autumnsky]

What is the pH?

Can you get the water tested or test it if you have the kit, and see what the kH and GH?

 

[andy36yr19]

The kh is 30ppm and gh is 60 ppm I dont know if its ppm or not but I use Tetra 5 in 1 easy strips

 

[Autumnsky]

Thinking to double check with a liquid test kit would be ideal.

Do you have a pH reading for the tank, and for the tap water? Sometimes you have different numbers.

If the numbers are accurate, you need a little calcium. I have really low KH in my tap water and use Kent Marine superbuffer dKH. It will raise the KH and you can follow directions and raise it slowly. Then in future water changes you can use an adjustment addition of it for keeping it at that level. I also use magnesium sulfate which is Epsom salts - plain nothing added like oils, like you use in soaking a sprained ankle.

If you have a lower pH then adding these can help stabilize your numbers. Doing a number of checks of pH is a good idea because the amount will fluctuate at different times of day.

 

[Autumnsky]

Also member TMaier just posted this recipe she uses for her awesome Mystery and other snails - for special snail food you make yourself.

Yes! I use this one. https://pin.it/2sqnmzmqjmkt3b

 

[andy36yr19]

I think I might just donate my snails to a friend or something they dont do well in my tank anyways

 

[Autumnsky]

If you make that decision, make sure the friend knows about how to take care of them, and the nitrification cycle so they can be as healthy as possible.

Snails are fun to watch.