Evening star., 1936-10-20
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES z. TRAcEWELL.

Dear Sir: VIII you please tell me
where can obtain information concern
ing red japanese snails. wish to know
0) how they can be raised without
white depressions in their shells, CD what
causes these spots and how they can be
prevented. I will appreciate any help
you may be able to give me. Yours
truly, G. 8. L."
A snailery, or aquarium given over
entirely to snails, is one OF the most
interesting hobbies in the entire aquatic
fancy, yet very few persons establish one,
but mostly try to raise snails along with
tropical fishes.
They can be raised, all right. but in
variably have white ridges, spots and
marks on their shells, which, in the case
of the general favorite-the s0-called
red Copenhagen snail-makes these in
teresting creatures eyesores to the
average spectator.
These marks are due to the acid condi-
tion Of the water. There is q scale Of
values marking relative acidity and aka
Unity which for practical purposes Of
work in the home aquarium ranges from
. neutral point. called 7. to about 81 on
the acid side, and "a on the alkaline side.
Water in the District Of Columbia and
nearby Maryland Is almost always slightly
alkaline when taken from the faucet. The
exact reading varies, but generally may
7.6 in the suburbs.
The moment this water is put in q
tank the life activities Of the fishes,
snails, etc, tend to make it acid within
q short time.
MI. g., H. Qcl- L.. -
cases; an acidity OF about 6.8 Is generally
regarded as about right for most Of the
small specimens usually called tropical"
or exotic" Goldnshes are supposed to
like alkaline water, but experience shows
that they get along very well in slightly
acid water.
1t must be kept In mind that this
acidity OF which we speak Is not an
acidity akin to that Of vinegar or similar
substances.
1t Is enough, however. to pit the shells
Of certain snails, including the really
beautiful Planorbis, called Copenhagen
mot Jspanese) snail. These red forms
are mutations from the brown, almost
black, and were sport" bred in Ger
many, but sent to this country via the
Danish city; hence the name. which, like
50 many wrong names, sticks just the
same.
For instance, 1t is impossible to con-
vince some persons that the plural OF
"guppy" is not "guppyi." 1t isn't, and it
never was. 1t is properly singular, guppy:
plural. guppies.
Since most small aquariums are slightly
acid In character. the red snails often are
pitted, an actual eating into the shell,
which may or may not kill the creature.
We have seen them almost all-white, yet
grow and live for several years.
Since the beauty Of this creature-and
be assured it has that, although its name
Of snail Is rather against tiles in its
color, 1t Is essential, If one wants to keep
them in good color, to raise them in an
aquarium in which the reaction Of the
water Is slightly alkaline.
This means that they must have . tank
all to themselves, that they must not be
crowded even then, that they must have
plenty Of food. but all excess siphoned
on daily, and that they must have good
light
The snailery is planted as any aqua
rum. These snails seldom eat plants, al
though sometimes they seem to be doing
50: If close watch is kept, however, they
will be seen to be eating minute algae
on the larger plant forms.
The snail is about the only aquarium
inmate which needs not be fed, since 1t
manages to live on small forms of algae.
But it IL much better II they are given
the 1ins sizes Of artificial prepared nsh
fond.