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Poor condition of water snails

CollareddoveCollareddove Posts: 127
in Wildlife gardening
I have had a small wildlife pond for about 7 years and have always had water snails (originally introduced).  The snails are prolific with young ones every year.  However, the snails over a year old all succumb to whatever causes the periostacum (had to google that) to be lost. So the older ones look quite rough and white and I suspect don't last long once their outer layer is gone.
Has anyone any idea what causes this?  I have, in the past, added oyster grit to the water and cuttlefish in case it is a calcium problem, but these additions made no difference.  sorry I haven't added the picture very well - a novice at the computer!

Posts

  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 2,669
    If you have a local Wildlife Society, it could be worth asking them if they have any ideas.
    It's not a problem I have come across in any of my ponds. 
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 9,074
    Can you test the PH of the water? In aquariums snails need to be kept in slightly alkaline water so maybe the pond has gone a bit too acid and needs something added to buffer it.
    Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people
  • LynLyn Posts: 21,407
    I don’t really know but maybe they shed their skin/shell in layers as people do so maybe that’s just dead shell waiting to come off. 
    Just thinking of my snails indoors,  they look very white and dry sometimes,  then they brighten up. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 9,983
    Pond snails live for about 1 year
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • LynLyn Posts: 21,407
    I didn’t know that Pete,  in that case, the ones the photo above are on their last anyway. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 9,983
    Nor did I until about 10 mins ago :)
    I saw the question and wondered how long they live - the wonders of Google!
    I'd have had to cycle to the library to find that out when I were a lad
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,346
    Interesting. I've got lots of the ramshorn ones, and they seem to breed very readily. I got some of the others last year when I made a larger pond, but I don't know how they've got on. I'd kind of forgotten I had them until I saw this thread!

    It's too easy now isn't it @Pete.8 ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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