how do you remove white out marks from shells?

[godrickthesnail]

my snail has dots of white out on its shell, how do i remove this without damging the shell?

[Paul]

Unless something has got stuck to the shell, it sounds to me that the marks are actually where the shell is eroded. This happens and can look like dots, scuffing or pitted areas. It is worsened by certain substrates that are acidic like peat and coir (to a certain extent, and it is rough at first). Shells can also be worn from other snails rasping at them. Also, some species like Achatina immaculata are prone to a weak periostracum (outer layer) and this can wear off easier than other species.

If it is something stuck to the shell, try washing it off first and if that doesn't work try gently picking it off with a fingernail. There's not much you can do to prevent it scuffing the shell, it either will or it won't.

[sonicsnail]

I have another suggestion what this could be. I have a few snails with "growth lines". They are commonly associated with snails who lack calcium intake. However, I disagree. Some of the snails with have these faint lines eat a lot of cuttle fish. They are like white streaks or lines along the shell. I don't think you can get rid of them. Sometimes, it's unavoidable, and snails are prone to getting these lines along their shells. I personally believe that too much calcium and nutrients can cause this for the shell may be growing too quick, causing these lines and white marks.

[ian]

Some of my fulica develope these white growth lines during their growth spurts from 3-6 months they dont look very pretty but they tend to fade like stretch marks.
Im using calcium spray now and if the new batch doesnt get them ill know why.

[incantrix]

One of my fulica had these at about 3-4 months of age and I thought it had a damaged shell. I've only seen it on one snail but I think sonic and ian are right about it being growth marks, he grew a lot during that time and the white marks have now faded with new growth. It hasn't done him any harm and it creates quite an interesting shell pattern. I'd be interested to hear if the calcium spray makes a difference, mine was eating loads of cuttlefish bone when he got his.