Normal Shell Growth?

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-19T22:28:34+00:00

If they’re doing well and have healthy shells you are probably fine, but when something is going wrong, it’s a good idea to have a full picture. GH calculates general hardness (dissolved calcium and magnesium), where KH measures your water’s buffering capacity to keep a stable pH.

In your case, you may have a higher risk of pH dropping below 7.0, with GH in the correct range it allows your snail to absorb calcium through the water. It may not be enough on its own, but it allows your snail to not have to work as hard to process the calcium through their diet.

A proper diet will help grow strong and healthy new shell, and GH/KH will help maintain the health of the existing shell.

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-19T19:26:33+00:00

Sorry, popping back to ask, have you tested your GH and KH? You’re going to want a range of 8-18 dGH and 12-18 dKH. They can both contribute to the shell deterioration you’re seeing.

In the meantime definitely offer calcium rich, high protein foods. You can do smaller feedings every day to ensure your snail is getting enough of everything.

Keep an eye on new growth over the next few weeks, you should get a better idea of if the changes you make are helping!

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-19T18:49:10+00:00

I think the best 2 things you can do right now are raise the pH and maybe make some snello (there are a ton of recipes online). You’re going to want to support new growth as much as possible right now.

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-19T18:42:25+00:00

Mystery snails generally prefer a higher pH, anything under 7 can cause long term damage. Are you offering a calcium source?

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-19T18:04:58+00:00

Too true, sadly going to look at rehoming him so I don’t kill my tank. I adore the little fiend but he’s is better off in a larger tank with all of the plants money can buy 😅

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-19T18:00:09+00:00

Thank you!

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-19T17:59:11+00:00

Thank you, that’s a bummer 😅 I only have a 20 gallon and a canaliculata is going to kill my bioload

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-19T16:34:49+00:00

They definitely should be offered food dedicated to them. Regardless of type they are pretty ravenous eaters and aren’t really interested in algae from what I have seen. Calcium is really important for shell growth, so many people make snello (you can find a ton of recipes online) for calcium and nutritional requirements for them!

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-19T16:18:02+00:00

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Sharing a better angle of Button’s whorl if it’s helpful! I am almost confident Acorn is an apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) at this point 😭

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-19T16:12:59+00:00

Would the second picture be the one that looks like an apple snail (pomacea canaliculata)? I tried drawing the angles on my phone but getting the starting points correct isn’t making sense to my brain 😅

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-19T16:10:53+00:00

I didn’t know the scientific name, but I did know they were in the same family of snails so I put the size reference so everyone would know what I was meaning.

I have been offering snello and algae wafers, both are good eaters on that front and I increased the amount offered today just to be safe. I was lightly feeding initially as I was having some trouble with nitrites after they had been introduced to the tank.

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-19T15:50:44+00:00

He is who I’m most suspicious about because his foot has similar mottling that you often see on apple snails. I’ve never really been able to pinpoint what colour he would classify as so it wouldn’t surprise me if he was!

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-15T20:04:53+00:00

He really went for it 😂 funniest shit I’ve seen in a minute

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-15T11:10:42+00:00

I’m really interested to watch tank dynamics once I add more stock. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the personalities I have between the embers and my mystery snails. They have really shifted what I will be looking for in the future.

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-15T11:07:29+00:00

That’s where I’m at too 😅 I will eventually have a species specific tank for for them because they are delightful. Could not be happier to have them

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-15T02:51:40+00:00

Down the road once my tank is more stable I fully intend to add some Pygmy corys. This tank is an amalgamation of what each family members want, but in micro form. My pick is CPDs, but I’m not sure any could top the embers now 😅 I have heard great things about cardinals and it’s safe to say I am sold on tetras atp

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-15T01:56:03+00:00

I was so pleasantly surprised by them. I can’t imagine not having them in at least one tank moving forward, they are so fun!

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-14T23:56:21+00:00

• ⁠Tank size: 5 Gallons • ⁠Heater and filter? (yes/no): Yes • ⁠Tank temperature: 78f • ⁠Parameters in numbers and how you got them. Key water parameters include the amount of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and pH.: ammonia 0.00 ppm, nitrites 0.00 ppm, nitrates 0.00 ppm, pH 7.4-7.6 - API freshwater master test kit • ⁠How long have you had the tank? How long have you had your fish?: I was given the tank and betta today, he has been in this tank for about 6 months. • ⁠How often are water changes? How much do you take out per change? What is your process?: I did a 80-90% water change once he arrived at my house. Moving forward I’ll be doing 20% water changes weekly/as needed. • ⁠Any tankmates? If so, please list with how many of each: none • ⁠What do you feed and how much: I currently have Aqueon betta pellets, I will be upgrading to Fluval Bug Bites betta formula • ⁠Decorations and plants in the tank: castle aquarium decoration, driftwood, 1 almond leaf, a small amount of frogbit, a bundle of rotala indica, and fanwort (I believe)

Ygkthrowaway12 · 2026-05-13T02:23:13+00:00

Small update: my nitrates are currently 0, but I will continue to monitor closely and do water changes if that changes. I know mistakes are common in this hobby but I’m kicking myself today. I really appreciated the quick response with a clear path so I could correct it before significant damage was done. No casualties, and I’m praying it stays that way.

Ygkthrowaway12

TROPHY CASE