A few mystery snail questions

Lexi_D

Lexi_D

is *Magic*
Nov 25, 2007
1,530
0
36
30
PA
watershedrussiantortoise.blogspot.com
1. One of my snail's shells seems to be peeling/cracking. It has grown a little, but there's one part that looks odd... is this dangerous to the snail? Is there anything I can/should do? Also, I can see thru the back of the golden snail's shell a little, like i can see some of it's organs moving :hypnotized:... is this a problem as well or is that normal?
2. How do I tell the difference between male and female snails?
3. Should I be giving them calcium supplements or special food (right now they eat bottomfeeder pellets and zucchini)? Will it be harmful to the fish that I'm planning to add soon (killifish)?
4. Ok, this isn't a snail question, but I'm going to stock the tank with 4 briggs and some killifish... how many killies can I add? I wanted to do smaller types like nothobranchius if I can get a hold of them.

Thanks!
 
the problems with your snails shells are not enough calcium in their diet give them a tums or two every other day and put a cuttle bone or crushed coral to harden your water because it sounds like it is to soft for snails.sorry i couldn't answer all questions. good luck.
 
You can use some clear nail polish over the damaged part, just so long as it doesn't touch the snail's body at all. Make sure it dries all the way befor eyou put it back in the water. You need to supplement with tums or add them to snail jello. Best if the snail actually eats the calcium, rather than just adding it to the water.
What temp are they at, temp too high will cause it to grow too fast and the shell will be thin.
 
Thanks for the responses.

They are currently at 78*, is that too warm? I was going to try to make the snail jello, or should I just add a tums to the tank? I don't think I should harden the water because of the killies, so I'd rather feed it directly to the snails than have it be in the water. There is still shell under the damaged part, so I don't think I need to repair it just yet.
 
If the shell is damaged on the surface, then it is best to apply the polish in order to prevent further erosion. 78 shoul dbe fine for temp. The tums would create less mess if added to the jello.
 
Make decision based on pH range of your water. In some cities it could vary based on their source water
 
Yes, but you can still have soft water with a high ph, especially with a water softener in which the minerals are replaced with sodium. They still need proper calcium intake in their diet either way.
 
If they were my snails, I would feed them snail jello with calcium added to it. While tums by themselves are great, some snails will not eat it. You can use the tums as the calcium source in the jello. I also would order some veggie sticks that are fortified with calcium from Kensfish.com Once they start getting enough calcium in their diet their shells will become stronger. Where the weak points are they will develop a layer under the shell protecting their insides. If the shell has holes that have actually gone completely through the shell, then a patch may be in order if it is over the internal organs. A picture will help us advise if a patch is needed.
 
Your fish ashouldn't mind about calcium. You can add it in any form, liquid,m tums, cuttle done, white vacation feeder, coral etc etc. It is normal to see organs and internal stuff in gold or ivory snails :)
 
I agree 110% with Snoopy...
Make snail jello with calcium and maybe a drop of honey...
Buy veggie sticks with calcium from Ken (really a nice guy to talk to, if you have questions).
Put in a cuttle bone in the tank (remove metal clip), mine eat them.
Good luck.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom