Emergency! Snail in Trouble HELP!

[Hollygirl]

:help: I went to check on my tanks, and I found one of my Mystery Snails in a hole that is at the top of the tank cave. I tapped on him figuring he would fall to the bottom but he didn't. How much pressure can I apply to make sure he isn't stuck? He is alive. His little feelers are moving and he responds if you touch his face. I could kick myself for not thinking that the opening of the top of the cave could cause this. Any advice anyone? :help: I took the ornament out and tried to free him that way - His shell is stuck.50153

50157

[The Zigman]

Can you turn the log over and shake him out?

[Hollygirl]

I got him free - but his shell is cracked

[Hollygirl]

I tried from the bottom and I think from him trying to go forward he cracked his shell. I'm going to go get a picture of him. Can he recover from this? I can't believe I'm crying over a snail. Poor little guy.

[msjinkzd]

it depends on how bad the crack is, many snails recover from injuries. Can you get a pic?

[pixl8r]

You can use something like crazy glue to seal the crack. There's information over at applesnail.net about dealing with damaged snail shells.

[Hollygirl]

That piece dangling is a piece of shell. What do I do?50160

[msjinkzd]

So its along the outer wall that the shell is broken? I am having a really hard time seeing in the pic.

[Hollygirl]

it depends on how bad the crack is, many snails recover from injuries. Can you get a pic?
This picture isn't too good - I'll try to get another. Can you see that piece hanging in front? The entire shell didn't come off just like a few layers. Can you see the crack? He's moving around okay. I did a partial water change at around 10 this morning so I know my water is good.

[Hollygirl]

I'll go get another pic

[msjinkzd]

What I would probably do is place the snail in a breeder trap if possible, that way it isn't doing acrobatic movements for the next week or so. Also, if you can, and depending what the tank temp is, lower the temp to about 74. This will slow its metabolism down in order for the shell to repair itself from the inside out. Do water changes to keep the quality PRISTINE, and feed tempting foods rich with calcium to keep it eating. Depending on what the picture shows (its hard to get clear ones of the suckers sometimes), you may or may not need to patch. Do you see any soft tissue exposed? Does the crack look "tight" or does it appear to be "looser"?

[Hollygirl]

You can see the crack better on these. He's moving normally, and this is this thin layer of shell that is kind of dangling. You can't see it too good on these photos but I think you can see the crack better.

[msjinkzd]

ouch, i would recommend posting over at www.applesnail.net (http://www.applesnail.net) in the snail illness section to see if they can advise you on to patch or not to patch. I have been fortunate thus far and haven't ever had to do it, and don't feel comfortable advising you on technique or making the decision. It is promising that he is moving around and acting well, but you want to minimize further damage. I wish all the best of luck, and please keep us posted.

[Hollygirl]

Can you see the crack better in this photo? 50162

[msjinkzd]

I can see where the crack is, its just hard to tell if soft tissue is exposed. I know with fissures (which are like cracks but genetic), often they are left to heal on their own unless they seal over on the ends and the middle is left open. Does it seem like the shell is stably attached? I would isolate him from the others, just to prevent any breeding behavior.

[Hollygirl]

ouch, i would recommend posting over at www.applesnail.net (http://www.applesnail.net) in the snail illness section to see if they can advise you on to patch or not to patch. I have been fortunate thus far and haven't ever had to do it, and don't feel comfortable advising you on technique or making the decision. It is promising that he is moving around and acting well, but you want to minimize further damage. I wish all the best of luck, and please keep us posted.
I don't know if this makes a difference, but I do know that the crack wasn't caused by me removing him from that death trap ornament. I decided to give removing him a try after I saw that crack, so it had to be from pressure from him trying to escape? All I know is I feel like smacking myself since I did think about that stupid hole at the top of that cave. I sure will let you guys know what happens with "Andy". By the way, that's this snails' name.

[Hollygirl]

I can see where the crack is, its just hard to tell if soft tissue is exposed. I know with fissures (which are like cracks but genetic), often they are left to heal on their own unless they seal over on the ends and the middle is left open. Does it seem like the shell is stably attached? I would isolate him from the others, just to prevent any breeding behavior.
His shell is attached okay - no problems there. There is this thin layer of shell that came off where the crack is. I keep watching him to see if I can get a picture of it but right now he is buried in the hornwort, which is very normal for him. I find him in there all of the time. His "face" is okay too. Eyes and feelers are 100% normal and that "siphon" type appendage has been in and out a couple of times. When I got him out of that hole, I touched him to get him to close up. I was able to get a closer look and that is when I noticed the crack. I don't think I did any further damage when I got him loose. Once he closed up it seemed a little easier to get my finger around him from the inside of the ornament.

[msjinkzd]

If it were my snail, I would probably just isolate and monitor him. If he is acting well, its most likely he will repair himself. As long as you don't see any soft tissue exposed, and as long as he is not being mounted by other male snails, I would think Andy has a great chance at recovery.

[Hollygirl]

There is no heater in the snail tank, but I do have a thermometer (sticks on the side type) and it is around 73 to 74 in the tank right now. When you say "soft tissue" exposure, what should I be looking for? As far as mounting behavior, I have the other gold snail that has been mounting one of the blue snails on and off for a couple of days now. Andy is the largest snail and the other 3 don't go near him. I do have a 3 gallon Eclipse that I can put him in (actually the snails original home after it wasn't working out with the fish).

[Hollygirl]

Should I feed him the same diet? It has been fresh zucchini and spinach, as well as shrimp pellets, algae tabs, and loach tablets. Should I add anything?

[msjinkzd]

I would keep an eye out to make sure you can't see his inner body through the crack. If you notice that you can see it, it probably needs to be repaired. As long as you are seeing shell, its likely he will reinforce it himself. You want to try and keep him from being too terribly active and possibly worsening the crack (like climbing decoration and surfing down and possibly banging into something). The temp is great where it is. As long as he is eating well, I would keep his diet the same.

[Hollygirl]

I would keep an eye out to make sure you can't see his inner body through the crack. If you notice that you can see it, it probably needs to be repaired. As long as you are seeing shell, its likely he will reinforce it himself. You want to try and keep him from being too terribly active and possibly worsening the crack (like climbing decoration and surfing down and possibly banging into something). The temp is great where it is. As long as he is eating well, I would keep his diet the same.
So is the 3 gallon tank too big for him? I have a goldfish bowl that holds about a gallon of water also. There is no flesh popping out of the crack.

[Hollygirl]

The layer of shell that was dangling came off. He was kind of working it off - I don't know how else to describe it. I will get a pic of it. I can tell you it is very thin, like onion skin but obviously shell.

[Hollygirl]

My batteries went dead on the camera. But I will hang onto that shell piece to show a photo. The bands on it are going in a different direction so I think he injured himself in 2 different areas.

[msjinkzd]

the 3 gallon should be fine, is it filtered? You really want his water quality to stay as ideal as possible.

[Hollygirl]

the 3 gallon should be fine, is it filtered? You really want his water quality to stay as ideal as possible.
Yes the Eclipse has a filter but the bio wheel has been dry. I can use the Eclipse cartridges, and I'm thinking that as long as I do daily water changes of 1/2 gallon I should be okay? I have extra hornwort and java moss that I can use also. Thanks for your help - thank you!

[msjinkzd]

Should be just fine! I am pulling for Andy!

[Flaringshutter]

Sounds like he'll be fine. I'm rooting for Andy too! Be sure to let him know he has cheerleaders here, haha. :clap::clap:

And don't feel like you're the only one - many of us have shed tears over our snaily friends. I cried when my first big brig, Rufus, died accidentally. It's not just you.

[msjinkzd]

I cried my eyes out when I lost mr. mysterious and ms. magenta the first.

[SchizotypalVamp]

I'm pulling for andy, too :).

[Hollygirl]

Thank you so much! Tomorrow pics of Andy in the Eclipse 3. My husband and I are working on it right now.

[msjinkzd]

Best of luck! He is a lucky snail to have such a caring owner!

[Redneck Woman]

I am so sorry this happened to Andy. If anything happened to one of my babies I would be crying also. Good luck with him. I will be looking forward to hearing how he is doing.

[thebullit]

andy pandy puddin and pie, cracked his shell and made you cry. hes pulling through and doing well, soon he will repair his shell.

keep it up andy were all routing for you

[Flaringshutter]

andy pandy puddin and pie, cracked his shell and made you cry. hes pulling through and doing well, soon he will repair his shell.

keep it up andy were all routing for you

:rofl:

you are amazing.

[msjinkzd]

I agree! Great poem Bullit!

[thebullit]

thanks guys.

[jenratico]

You SHOULD be concerned with the living things in your care - it proves you are a good fish/snail/plant mamma. I can't imagine being unaffected by even the littlest critters in my care if they are hurt. Good on you Hollygirl.