Snail shell hole issue...

[Fishstix3000]

First, I read a thread with all kinds of information about patching and care for snails with holes in their shells...great info!

Two of my young (dime-nickle sized) brigs have just recently developed holes on the top of their shells (right in the middle of the largest curl of the shell). I thought it may be that I wasn't supplementing them with enough calcium as they were growing, and so their shells were too thin.

Then, last night, I found my pleco sucking on one of the young snail's shell, right where the holes are on the two injured ones.

Is it possible that the pleco is doing that to their shells?? Probably a combo of weak shells and the darn pleco?

This pleco also devours the calcium pills I have recently started putting in for the snails. Maybe he is calcium deficient? or just weird.

Please let me know if anyone has had this kind of problem with plecos and brigs.

Thanks!!

[saram521]

What kind of pleco is it and how large? I suppose it could be possible that the pleco is helping cause damage to the snails' shells. What is the pH of your water? Snails need high pH, alkaline water conditions in order to encourage strong healthy shell growth.

[Fishstix3000]

My pH is 7.5-7.7. My test strips are a little vague. The pleco is about 5.5 inches. The alkaline reading is super high--over 300.

That pleco is one strange character.