My snail is not moving around.

paxt0n

Hi,

I have a snail that is having a problem.

When I first got him, he would move all over the tank, like normal. All of a sudden, probably a couple weeks ago, he started staying in one spot, sealed in his shell. I would put an algae wafer near him and he would attempt to "open up" and eat it.

Since fish and other snails were bothering him, when he was trying to eat, I bought a "breeder" to keep him separate from everyone else.

He still stays sealed in his shell most of the time, and when he does start to "open up", there is always a "cloud" of white puss-looking slime coming out of his shell.

When I got home from work today, I noticed that his shell was partially open, so I put an algae wafer near him. Since he seems to be unable to move or position himself very well, I leaned the wafer right up against his mouth, and he started eating it. Then he tried to completely open his shell and extend his foot, but his foot stays folded together (this seems to be the overall problem, or at least part of it.) Anyway, he ended up falling over sideways, and is continuing to attempt to open his foot, but it seems to be stuck. I keep pushing the food up to his mouth and he continues to eat it.

I am attaching some pictures, so hopefully someone can help me! I am aware that his shell looks horrible, but I have three other snails that don't have this problem. (My pH is about 7.6)

I am also interested in how to administer calcium to them. One person told me to give them calcium pills. They would start to eat them, but as soon as they got through the coating and to the calcium, they ran away!

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Brian

Attached Images

	snail4.jpg (79.9 KB, 42 views)
	snail1.jpg (87.1 KB, 41 views)
	snail2.jpg (54.1 KB, 41 views)
	snail3.jpg (81.3 KB, 40 views)

eileen

You can buy a cuttle bone at the pet store for birds it has calcium and canput in the filter box. you can feed it tubs with calcium or go to kensfish online they carry food that has calcium in it or feed it fresh veg. that have calcium it it like frozen string beans or spinich i thing. Look on line and google calium for freshwater snails.

zoragen

Great pics!

I'm a new snail owner myself so can't offer much advice.

I put a caltrate tablet in the tank & tho they ignored it from what I read they will still absorb the calcium.

Dark leafy greens have calcium & I'm going to try kale or spinach next. I've also heard the zucchini is good.

You poor guy.

paxt0n

Thanks for the info. I'm beginning to wonder if his foot is injured and if the slimy stuff is some kind of way that snails heal. I was hoping there would be a "snail expert" on here that could help....

iamntbatman

I think your snail might be injured. You should send a PM to member "Lupin" and link him to this thread, as he might be able to help with this one.

eileen

Most lfs and pet stores have a good return policy for purchases. If you still have your receipt you can return your snail and get another one. If it's injured. Just a thought as I have taken fish back that did not get along with my other fish in my tank.

paxt0n

I'm consistently able to get him to eat, so I'm not worried about him surviving, but I hope whatever is wrong with him is something that will eventually heal.

I havecome to the conclusion that the white "puss" comes from within his curled up foot. I usually place a turkey baster near him and suck all the gunk out every day. I don't know if I should be leaving it (maybe it's how they heal) or not, but when he eats, food and other debris get caught up in the goo.

I'm going to PM lupin tonight, so maybe they will have some insight.

Attached Images

snail.jpg (97.2 KB, 25 views)

eileen

That's so sad. It does not look so good in the pictures. Poor little guy. I hope someone can help you that knows more about Mystery snails.

Lupin

He seems injured to me. The white slime coming out from him indicates he is stressed. I'd just get him his own tank if others are bothering him too much.