Sick Snail

[Lexi_D]

One of my mystery snails has been hanging out inside its shell for more than a week (I just got back from a week-long vacation and he's not any better)... not sure how long he has been in there. I tested if he was dead and he is definitely alive, he comes out sometimes to stretch, but he never really moves. The other two snails have grown to twice his size already, but hi is still a bit small. I did a big water change to see if that would help before vacation, and I usually do them every other week or so on this tank because it's lightly stocked with 3 mystery snails and 6 nerites (no fish, will become my swordtail fry tank eventually). It's a 10g tank, lightly planted with some random stems from the 20g and a few other plants. Any idea what could be wrong with him? Thanks for any input!

 

[msjinkzd]

do you have planaria in the tank?

 

[Lexi_D]

I think I do.. I've seen a couple on the glass.

 

[msjinkzd]

Its possible that is what is bothering your snail. I have found that planaria really cause issues in a tank with bridgesii. I would cut back on feedings and really step up your gravel vacs. You might also consider feeding them in a small dish to prevent food from settling into your substrate. As for hte sick snail, if you can isolate it in another tank in a breeder trap it will likely perk up.

 

[Lexi_D]

Ok thanks! Should Can I just release it into my other tank instead of having it in a breeder net or will the fish pick on it? I think it would do fine in the 20g for a little while (until the planaria clear up).

 

[Antinostact]

Our poor apple snail Ernie has a line that looks like the start of a crack running across the top of his shell, we really do not want to see it get any worse. Is there somebody out there that knows what we can do to help him? And if anybody knows what causes it we would really appreciate an answer.

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[msjinkzd]

Ok thanks! Should Can I just release it into my other tank instead of having it in a breeder net or will the fish pick on it? I think it would do fine in the 20g for a little while (until the planaria clear up).

What fish are in there? it would probably be just fine. Keep an eye on the other snails and if you notice any lethargy move them as well.

 

[msjinkzd]

Our poor apple snail Ernie has a line that looks like the start of a crack running across the top of his shell, we really do not want to see it get any worse. Is there somebody out there that knows what we can do to help him? And if anybody knows what causes it we would really appreciate an answer.
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I would suggest making a new thread and posting a picture if possible for more responses and help for Ernie

 

[BettaFishMommy]

not to hijack the thread but i had this same issue with one of my jade briggs for quite some time (at least 3 weeks or more). i tried putting him in a breeder trap in another tank, i tried removing him from the tank and putting him in a container with just a little water (to cover his soft spots, but not the shell) for a short period of time (1 hour or so), i tried a breeder trap in the same tank he was in before..... nothing helped. he eventually passed away. there are no planaria that i can see in the planted tank this snail was in for almost his whole life, so i know that it wasn't due to that.

the wierdest part was that i also had a blue brigg from the same generation that had the same issue, just hanging partway out of his shell or completely closed up in his shell, and the blue and the jade started this around the same time. the blue is now fine after the same regemine that the jade received.

Lexi, has this snail been a heavy breeder the time you've had him or the time before you had him? that is my theory on my jade that wouldn't recover, as frequent breeding, IMO, can shorten the lifespan of almost any creature.

 

[Lexi_D]

The fish are 5 tetras, 1 bn pleco, 1 swordtail, and 1 western mosquitofish. He has not ever bred as far as I know, so I don't think that's it. Thank you for your help!