Snail base jumpers; But what's that white stuff?

[Spewn]

Two of my brigs decided to base-jump off the aquarium ledge last night. Both were very dry feeling this morning, and their operculum's were pulled *way* back into the shell. One has a small chip missing from his shell, not on the leading edge.

After putting them back in the water they *slowly* started to open up. They've now "stalled" at partially open. They respond when I poke them, so that's good. Thing is, there's this white goo coming out of them; a thick slimy substance.

They should be fine, but the white goop is concerning me. Any ideas on what that stuff might be? Both snails have expelled a fair glob of the stuff.

[emptywallet]

could it be from a male snail :naughty:

[Spewn]

Hah, to be honest, I think it's something along those lines.

The snails haven't been moving around the tank much, but they're definitely alive. They open/close from time to time...sometimes spewing out some more junk. Last night they moved around at least a bit, as they're not in the same place they were when I went to bed.

They're recovering I guess.

[msjinkzd]

its probably them producing excess slime because of hte trauma and drying out.

[Spewn]

It was 12hrs max that they were out of water, and they can go for much longer than that right? I think they'll be fine...I just wish they were up and about, I feel bad for them :(

Edit; Would the excess slime be "clumpy" and maintain consistency in the water? I'm not super concerned with what the slime is as long as they're recovering, which they seem to be :P

[msjinkzd]

Yeah, they can go alot longer than that, but it doesn't mean they won't be effected at all. You are lucky they didn't fracture their shells!

[Spewn]

Oh, I understand that. One actually did get a small puncture. It appears to be at least *weak* along a concentric line, and I think the fall may have worsened that near the shell edge.

A question about that concentric weak spot actually; Is that a born-in improper shell growth, or is that from diet/water? Water quality is perfect, 0 ammonia 0 nitrites <10 nitrates. They get home-made gelatin blocks enriched with calcium as outlined in the sticky. They also get the occasional piece of fresh cucumber or zucchini. Usually they have their share of the spirulina tablets I feed to my ottos before the ottos get there, these are 100% vegetable with spirulina as the first ingredient(Nutrafin brand, made by Hagen). I've also been using Kent's Liquid Calcium because I like to tinker, I've read it works, and for a 10g 1 bottle will last me a very very long time(also, I don't think snails use up calcium as fast as a reef aquarium). pH is ~7.8-8.2(I have a really hard time reading the pH colours, but its a consistent colour it just could be anywhere in that range to my eyes).


Can I or should I attempt to repair a fracture, if I find one on closer inspection?

[msjinkzd]

any chance you could get a picture?

[Spewn]

Sure can, snails are typically quite cooperative photo subjects when they're out of the water.

[Spewn]

Turns out there is a fracture, but the camera's high-focus on small objects makes it look worse than it is.

The line I'm talking about is worst at the shell's leading edge, where it actually is opened up now I believe from the fall. There's some damage along the leading edge but I'm not as concerned about that.

You can't really see the puncture anymore, it looks like it's been repaired a little.

[msjinkzd]

I wouldn't be as worried about the break near the opening. What might concern me is at the top of her shell it looks like its a little smashed up and has some radiating cracks. I would keep a very close eye on that.


Edit: what is your tank temp? You may consider lowering it if possible during the healing time

[Spewn]

I'm lowering the tank temp. The very top of the shell, where it looks like radiating cracks(almost like the shell was smashed against something flat), that's *only* visible from the angle I shot withe a camera flash. I can't see it under normal light. I'll keep an eye on it as best I can.

What about the opening near the shell edge that continues back along that line around the shell? I'm worried that it will grow into a large gap at the shell edge from some images I've seen :/

[msjinkzd]

To me, that looks like an old fissure (genetic defect) that has closed up. It may be a point of weakness which is why the crack happened there. As long as they are getting enough calcium (which it sounds like he is) it should heal from the inside and do fine. I have had a couple break off a piece of the edge of their shell by the opening and it recovers fine. Its just important he not go para-snailing again anytime soon. Typically you only repair open holes if its over their organs or if its a fissure that closed at the growth line but remained open over their body. Lowering the temp should help slow growth so that the crack has the ability to heal. I can't really see from the picture if it looks like the crack is radiating back from the growth edge.

[msjinkzd]

you may consider posting over at www.applesnail.net (http://www.applesnail.net) if it seems to be doing poorly. Keeping it eating and safe is important during healing. Sometimes its recommended to put a healing snail in isolation in a more shallow dish to allow it to recooperate. I keep thinking of more things I have read for injured snails. Honey is a good way to entice them to eat if they are not feeling well. It also has natural anti-biotic properties but can cloud the water slightly because of the sugars. Also, make sure to do frequent water changes. Hope this all helps!

[Spewn]

I'm staying on top of the water changes, and my gelatin cubes have a bit of honey in them because one of my brigs was a bit picky about the first batch I made(now, they swarm the cube as soon as I drop it in :P)

Interestingly, the snail with the least amount of shell damage seems to be doing the most hiding. Bubbles(The one I posted a picture of) is out and about, around the tank.

The hole they climbed out of is covered up now, no more extreme parasnailing.

Edit; The fissure does not have a crack radiating back from the growth edge, it's just very weak and thin looking and lead to the cracked piece you see in the picture.

[msjinkzd]

ok, well i wish you all the best of luck. glad that they won't be don't any more para-snailing.