mystery snails

Question
I have a 10 gallon aquarium an am having a problem keeping mystery snails in it.  either they are dying or being killed.  All I wind up with are empty shells. I have guppies in the aquarium.

Answer
Hi Greta;

Hmm. Weird. It's possible the guppies are eating them, but probably not until they are already dead. Guppies are not known for killing snails usually.

If your tap water pipes are made of copper or there are dissolved metals in your tap water it can be toxic to snails. It doesn't hurt people, but can be toxic to invertebrates such a snails. Use a good water conditioner that binds metals with every water change and it should be fine.

If you have ever added medication with copper, it will kill the snails too. Algae destroying chemicals can have pretty toxic stuff in them too. Some contain copper. The whole tank water will have to changed out, but it may still not ever be enough. Dissolved metals can absorb into decorations and gravel and stay there.

You might want to look at the following site about apple smails (mystery snails are a type of apple snail). Click on the word "care" on the left sidebar for more information about them;

http://www.applesnail.net/

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins