Please let me know if you need more info/pictures

 

Hi
You're not dumb, and I'm not 100% convinced that's rot or burn.

Why are you using a remineralizer? I'm not sure you need it.

Try some of these adjustments;

Start doing at least one, maybe two water changes during the week, for a while (a month? maybe longer).

You might consider adding some mineralized spring water to your tap, start with a ratio of 25% Spring water/75% tap during water changes, and if he seems to improve maybe eventually use a 50/50 ratio.

I assume you're using the tank lights, but for now if at all possible turn them off. Definitely dim them, and have them on for only six hours or less normally.

See if you can get Vita Chem, and add that during water changes.

Obtain some rooibos or oolong tea and float a couple bags in his tank. Replace them every day or so.

 

Thank you so much for your reply! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!

Why are you using a remineralizer? I am using this as the LFS said I need to use it for the snails, the area I moved from did have soft water so it's just part of the routine. I've been putting it in as I'm currently waiting for the new GH test and thought. Better safe than sorry (though, I might regret that now).

I currently have the lights on for 8 hours for the plants but I'll reduce it to 6 as soon as I'm home.

I'm not sure about Ammonia burn myself tbh, I've had no experience with it. He is staying very close to the water surface (has barely moved in days) but doesn't appear to be gasping for breath and his gills don't seem to be moving rapidly. The LFS guy said Ammonia burn could turn his fins white/silver and to look for a slime/stringy white substance which would mean infection - I can't see any string/slime. Just a gradual color changes on both sides of his face (over about a week).

Any ideas what it might be? Parasites? Genetics?

 

I'll reduce it to 6 as soon as I'm home.

I would turn them completely off for at least a few days, there's a lot of stress for him with those lights and he needs a chance for his immune system to build. Later you can try having them on, gradually increasing the time until they're on for four hours and see if your plants are ok with that.

I'd stop with the remineralizer and see if there are other ways to help the snails, or see how they do with no other additives, just the use of mineralized spring water.

It could be genetics.

 

The lights are off, I'm just trying to make him comfortable.

He's lying on the floor of the tank now, occasionally doing a very erratic dart to the surface (as if trying to jump out) then lying down again. He has his head angled up as if trying to get to the top but not moving. I've tried to move him onto something (I've attached literally everything I have for aquriums to the inside to try and give him as many beds as possible. I've tried to move him on them but he freaks out and I'm scared ill do more harm than good).

He does seem to be struggling to breathe. I've put some methlyne blue in as apparently it helps increase there oxygen.

I've looked and looked and looked. Other than tatty fins, a change of color on his gill covers, and I guess a generally faded color over his body. I can't see anything obvious. No fungus, no ich, no ulcers. I'm totally at a loss. I've no idea what I've done or how I could of prevented this.

I really don't know hpw to help him, or even make him comfortable.

 

I really don't know how to help him, or even make him comfortable.

Rather than the med which can be harsh, for increased oxygen, add an air stone. Also, you could lower the water level.

I'll just basically repeat what I suggested above;

Do a water change right now, and also tomorrow. Then, start doing at least one, maybe two water changes during the week, for a while (a month? maybe longer).

You might consider adding some mineralized spring water to your tap, start with a ratio of 25% Spring water/75% tap during water changes, and if he seems to improve maybe eventually use a 50/50 ratio.

See if you can get Vita Chem, and add that during water changes.

Obtain some rooibos or oolong tea and float a couple bags in his tank. Replace them every day or so.