We got several turbo snails as part of a cleaner pack. Their shells were dark and they had things growing on them. Now their shells are clean and they look silverish and shiny. Is that bad? When we bought them, he acted as though they'd die as our tank progressed. I'd rather not have them die, they don't bother anything.
Snail shells turning metalic
- Thread starter mmsheafer
- Start date
CStrickland
New member
I can't see anything there. But is your calcium level ok? Snails use some of the elements that are added to our salt to make their shells, maybe alk too idk
Prob just had coraline algae on it that died off after the move and you're seeing the smooth she'll underneath.
Prob just had coraline algae on it that died off after the move and you're seeing the smooth she'll underneath.
CStrickland
New member
I'm asking what the calcium level is in your water. How many ppm?
CStrickland
New member
That photo just looks like a normal margarita snail. Their shells are smooth but they grow coraline algae on them that makes it look rough. Your tank probs doesn't have the right conditions for coraline so it died and now you can see the shell. Some margarita are collected from cooler water than our tanks so it might not live very long but there's not really anything you can do about it.
toothybugs
New member
I would also (highly) suggest checking your calcium levels. You will need a test kit for this. I would also suggest checking the other levels (magnesium and alkalinity) which exist in a 3-way balance, so you might as well get a multi-kit such Red Sea Pro to check all 3 parameters.
Our calcium levels are good. I figured it was the junk they had growing on them dying off, I just didn't know if that was a bad thing. I also wasn't sure about the shiny factor. They aren't doing anything out of the ordinary. Two snails have lost their original coating, one has not.
toothybugs
New member
What does "good" mean - what is your PPM measurement? For my own information.
We have kits and test frequently. Everything is as it should be. We now have fish and soft corals. Everything is going great, I was just worried that the snails changing meant something was wrong with them, or the tank. That doesn't seem to be the case. I'm probably just overly paranoid.
reefbroao
New member
I have some dirty garbage snails and some others that look fine who have been in there for just as long. I think depending on where they hang out they will accumulate more debris. I know a lot of my snails go under rocks during the day and they seem to be the ones with cleaner shells.
Calcium does effect shell growth/ strength. they need it to keep their armor strong.
To be honest I really wouldn't be worrying about the snails. if they're not dead they're most likely fine.
Calcium does effect shell growth/ strength. they need it to keep their armor strong.
To be honest I really wouldn't be worrying about the snails. if they're not dead they're most likely fine.
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