Mystery Snail Care/sickness Guide

Pringlethesnail
I have posted in other threads about my larger than a quarter black Mystery getting more and more lethargic and finally dying. I know he was obviously older just by his size. He lived through the cycling of my tank and actually was more active then than he was after the cycle completed. I saw somewhere where it said that foods containing copper sulfate should be avoided. The API pellets I was using have copper sulfate and something called copper amino acid chelate in them. I speculated they may have played a part in my snail's passing. He always got pretty inactive after eating one of them. Maybe he was just an old snail and passed naturally. I have replaced him with a less than dime sized Magenta that is doing well so far but has only gotten pieces of Pleco wafer that contain no meat of any kind. Maybe you can tell me if the bottom feeder pellets are safe or if I should get other ones that don't have the copper compounds in them. Ingredients follow:

Whole Menhaden fish meal, whole wheat, shrimp meal, wheat middlings, squid meal, pea protein, brewer's dried yeast, fish oil, core molasses, dried seaweed meal, hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate, vitamins C and E, nicotinic acid (why), calcium pantothenate, iron amino acid chelate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, ferrous sulfate, zinc amino acid chelate, B supplement, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, manganese amino acid chelate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, A ocelate, folic acid, B supplement, copper sulfate, copper amino acid chelate, calcium iodate, D supplement, garlic powder, choline chloride, L-lysine DL-methionine L-threonine BHA/Citric acid/proplyl gallate (as preservative)

Seems like a lot of metals to me. Even besides the copper. And why nicotine?

 

I just watched my snail Gladys use her siphon extended for the first time! But, she wasn't at the surface. She is hanging out eating zucchinI at the bottom of the tank. I assume that is... totally fine? She is super active and runs up and down the glass all day, so I know she's not having an issue getting to the top for air. Do they use their siphons for other purposes? Do they use them this way to breathe water as well?

I have been feeding her zucchinI rounds and algae tablets daily, alternating one each day. The main ingredient in the HikarI Algae Wafer is fish meal(33% crude protein), but there is copper sulfate right at the end of the list. Is that good enough for proper snail nutrition? Should I worry about the copper? Is there a preferred kind of sinking pellet among snail aficionados?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

BONUS! Here's a picture of Gladys adventuring on the driftwood in her tank:

Pringlethesnail
Maybe you can tell me if the bottom feeder pellets are safe or if I should get other ones that don't have the copper compounds in them. Ingredients follow:

Whole Menhaden fish meal, whole wheat, shrimp meal, wheat middlings, squid meal, pea protein, brewer's dried yeast, fish oil, core molasses, dried seaweed meal, hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate, vitamins C and E, nicotinic acid (why), calcium pantothenate, iron amino acid chelate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, ferrous sulfate, zinc amino acid chelate, B supplement, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, manganese amino acid chelate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, A ocelate, folic acid, B supplement, copper sulfate, copper amino acid chelate, calcium iodate, D supplement, garlic powder, choline chloride, L-lysine DL-methionine L-threonine BHA/Citric acid/proplyl gallate (as preservative)

Seems like a lot of metals to me. Even besides the copper. And why nicotine?

Dch48 if my research is correct, Nicotinic Acid is not actually nicotine (confusingly) it's a compound also called Niacin, a type of B3 vitamin. Luckily, I can't find a reason why that would be dangerous for fish or snails.

As for the copper, I have been feeding my Mystery snail HikarI Wafers, which have copper sulfate at the end of the list of ingredients. She seems to love them, and I haven't had any sign of her feeling ill because of it. Other posters here in the forums seem to think that the trace amounts of copper in some fish foods aren't enough to harm snails. That being said, I have also asked this question in my most recent post/query here in Pringlethesnail 's Guide.

 

darlingfishie It's completely normal. It's used for breathing, but sounds like she didn't want to leave the food if she didn't have to

Personally, I order the ones that don't have the trace amounts of copper, but there are plenty of people who have used the HikarI ones without any issue.

 

I switched to Omega One Shrimp pellets. They don't contain any suspect ingredients. The new snail (and the Betta who tries to chew pieces off) love them. So I'm now alternating. One day it's the Omega pellets, next day it's a piece of Tetra Pleco wafer (Betta tries to eat that too). Some days neither one. So far so good.

As I said, it may have just been that my first snail was old. He was significantly larger than a quarter in size. Better safe than sorry now though.

I also did see that Nicotinic Acid is the same thing as Niacin. Why don't they just list it as that?

 

If a mystery snail is unresponsive for several days, not using foot at all or eating, only moving tentacles and siphoning occasionally... Would euthanasia be the humane answer. It's tearing me up; She's beyond recovery. Your guide does not mention a good method. (I called a vet but they would not answer without a visit, I have to work & they're on the other side of town.) I read that fish can be dosed with clove oil, I got some just-in-case. (I have no vodka, only clear tequila.)

 

I would hold off. She may be dying but since she is still breathing and moving tentacles, she might wake up. Have you tested your water for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and pH?

 

I would hold off. She may be dying but since she is still breathing and moving tentacles, she might wake up. Have you tested your water for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and pH?

She's in shallow water in a 1G hospital tank on a towel with an airstone. I've been changing out her water twice daily with my tank water. 0-0-30 7.4 my usual parameters. I have some of her babies in my 10G with my 8 danio glofish.

 

She's in shallow water in a 1G hospital tank on a towel with an airstone. I've been changing out her water twice daily with my tank water. 0-0-30 7.4 my usual parameters. I have some of her babies in my 10G with my 8 danio glofish.

Some mystery snails can be sensitive to moderate to high nitrates and judging by your stocking level that may be your issue. If the snail is breathing and moving it’s tentacles I wouldn’t kill it. Another possibility is the snail may be going through a “hibernation” period of inactivity or could possibly just be getting older and slowing down. Keep your nitrates down, keep the water warm, and maybe give your snaily a few air baths.

Best snaily friends forever

 

30ppm is kind of high for Nitrates. Especially for snails

 

HI guys,
I apologize for my absence I’ve been really busy and we’ve had a death in the family. Since there is a lot to talk about here this is going to be long with spacing so it is clear who I am speaking to (hopefully)

@Dch47
I do use foods that have copper sulfate in them as one of the last ingredients on the list and I am careful that all the food is eaten within 2 hours so that the copper doesn’t leech into the water. The copper amino acid chelate is copper in the shape of an amino acid I believe. However, zinc is also toxic to snails. Less than copper, but still really up there. Considering that food has two forms of copper and two forms of zinc. I would not use it. Depending on water changes, filter output, and time uneaten food sat in the tank that food could kill a snail, but it also could’ve been old age. My favorite snail food is HikarI bottom feeder wafers. They come in an orange bag and I get them from amazon, but they have it in most pet stores near me (NY). The snails LOVE it and it’s soft and easily digestible for them. That’s the best thing I’ve tried so far. Look for anything with meats and make sure if there is copper it is way at the bottom of the list.

darlingfishie
That’s so exciting! Sometimes snails (especially new snails) will try to reach the top of the tank from the bottom just because they are lazy! Eventually they realize they have to go to the top and don’t try anymore. They do not use their siphons for any other purposes and do not breathe water through them. She probably was like “I don’t feel like moving, let’s see if I can get some air from here”. Snails are silly creatures. It seems weird that your HikarI algae wafer has fish in it, mine only has algae and plants. You can read above what food I use, but 33% crude protein from fish meal is good and should be fine for them. I prefer to have them get their protein from more than one source in the food (for example the food has fish meal and also crab or shrimp or something). This is not a necessity though. Do not worry about the copper at the bottom of the list. I trust the HikarI products, they’re the best I’ve found. The only thing I would do is feed her the algae wafers (protein) 5-6 days per week and the zucchinI 1-2 days per week. I feed algae wafers on the weekends and bottom feeder wafers all the rest of the time so I can keep track. BONUS Gladys is adorable!! <3

@both of you- I also feed shrimp pellets randomly to change it up sometimes (I use aqueon brand because they mail me coupons). I don’t use this all the time because like I said above I try to get the most variety of meat sources. I also find that they’re harder for them to digest. Either way, I’m sure any shrimp pellet would be fine for them.

SunnyniccI
I am so sorry to hear about your snail. I do not think nitrates is an issue because mine come out of the tap at 30 (well water) and are always around 40-60. Is in a floating container with just enough water to cover her? Is the 1G heated? If she’s been unresponsive and in very shallow (clean, heated) water for more than 5 days I would consider euthanizing her. The way I do this is by putting the snail in a ziplock, double bagged (no water), putting the bag behind the back wheel of the car and reversing the car. Crushing them completely and as quickly as possible is the most humane way. Some people use a hammer, but I’m worried I’ll miss or chicken out and only injure the snail. I’m so sorry that you’re going through this. It makes me feel better to write on the ziplock bag “rip snail.. and something about the snail”. It sounds dumb but it makes me feel better. I hope your snail will recover though.

 

I do use foods that have copper sulfate in them as one of the last ingredients on the list and I am careful that all the food is eaten within 2 hours so that the copper doesn’t leech into the water. The copper amino acid chelate is copper in the shape of an amino acid I believe. However, zinc is also toxic to snails. Less than copper, but still really up there. Considering that food has two forms of copper and two forms of zinc. I would not use it. Depending on water changes, filter output, and time uneaten food sat in the tank that food could kill a snail, but it also could’ve been old age. My favorite snail food is HikarI bottom feeder wafers. They come in an orange bag and I get them from amazon, but they have it in most pet stores near me (NY). The snails LOVE it and it’s soft and easily digestible for them. That’s the best thing I’ve tried so far. Look for anything with meats and make sure if there is copper it is way at the bottom of the list.

The problem is not the copper leeching into the water. The problem is the snail actually ingesting it. That's far more likely to do harm in my opinion. Copper sulfate is put in fish foods to stop fungus from forming on uneaten portions. It has no beneficial element for the fish or snail at all.

 

While I don’t recommend feeding your snail a ton of copper the main problem is it getting in the water. They’ve done scientific studies on these guys on how metals affect the freshwater ecosystem and having copper and zinc in the water was highly fatal. We eat copper sulfate and it’s in dog and cat food too. When they talk about snails being sensitive to copper it’s in the water column.

 

While I don’t recommend feeding your snail a ton of copper the main problem is it getting in the water. They’ve done scientific studies on these guys on how metals affect the freshwater ecosystem and having copper and zinc in the water was highly fatal. We eat copper sulfate and it’s in dog and cat food too. When they talk about snails being sensitive to copper it’s in the water column.

That's when it is introduced into the water column in much higher concentrations as medications. The amount that might leech from uneaten food is probably less than negatable. The fact that we eat some copper is irrelevant. We are not invertebrates and neither are our cats and dogs and fish. I am firm on snails not eating anything that contains copper.

 

Then don’t feed yours anything with copper. This is the thread for the care guide that I made. Not a separate thread for this question. Someone asked me for my recommendation because I made the guide and I have been raising and breeding these guys for three years and have read extensive scientific studies where they used these snails as subjects. Now your opinion is here as well and everyone has access both what both of us have said and to the numerous studies that have been done. So leave it at that.

 

Then don’t feed yours anything with copper. This is the thread for the care guide that I made. Not a separate thread for this question. Someone asked me for my recommendation because I made the guide and I have been raising and breeding these guys for three years and have read extensive scientific studies where they used these snails as subjects. Now your opinion is here as well and everyone has access both what both of us have said and to the numerous studies that have been done. So leave it at that.

Fine with me. Your guide is very good and well written.

 

Thank you Pringlethesnail. Yes she is in shallow water, room temp is 78 in that room. All she can do is float & siphon.
I am so sorry you had to come back to our forum after personal loss to such negativity. I hope we didn't cause any undue distress.

 

Pringlethesnail Thank you so much for this guide and answering all the questions!

 

Thank you SunnyniccI and devan221 for your kind words. I’ve been having a hard time lately but I am feeling better now and I am going to update the guide and add more information about the questions asked here and other things I’ve been thinking of soon! I also purchased a domain to create a webpage care guide months ago, but have not touched it, but my goal is to get the webpage up so I can help more people take care of their beloved snailos! It’ll be a long process, but worth it if it benefits the snails!

 

Excellent, very informative write up!! Thank you for taking the time to do this!!

 

Great guide, I saw it on your website as well.
I have a snail that is consistently acting lethargic, especially when compared to two tankmates. She was gotten at an LFS with the other two, but I suspect she was kept in subpar conditions wherever she came from prior due to algae and ragged shell growth compared to the other two — would dosing the tank with calcium help her? Is there anything I could do more immediately to alleviate whatever may be up? I have had her since November

 

The for the great info! Just got 2 gold mystery snails and the one I put in my 10 gallon Is very active and entertaining!
I had no idea! He is always on the move and often jumps off stuff as I believe it's faster for him(he's got things to do I guess)

The o e in the 65 gallon Is quite inactive, I'm wondering if the larger tank is quite as suited for a snail?
I put the other snail in the 65 for half a day and he barely moved and he is always cruising in the 10.
Also have u ever had a snail get out of a tank? I put both back in the 10G and o e is missing there is a place he can escape at the back of my tank but I can't see him and I didn't see any slime trail going out.

 

Pringlethesnail thank you so much for all the info
My snail got injured and I’m following your tips and he’s in a little container on the top of tank. He got stuck to the filter and I don’t know for how long, I found him in the morning and disconnected it. I can see some tissue is swollen, after 3 days he came out and ate some, and now he can attach to the containers wall but I still see some tissue coming out, I think he injured his mouth.
Anything I can put in his water that will make him feel better?
Thank you!

 

Hey guys! Figured this would be the best thread to ask this.

I just had my LF gold mystery, Ichor, pass away while I wasn’t home. Full mantle collapse; my loaches pulled him out fo the shell and ate everything except the meat attached to the trap door. He had been curled up for a few days before that, likely unmoving. Now my black striated is doing the same thing, and I’m very worried about him.
I have some PH issues; had to replace my filter and it didn’t properly cycle with the old media, and caused a system reboot. My tap PH is incredibly low (6.5) and water changes do not help. I’ve been removing my mysteries while I use the API proper ph 7.0 granulated chemical, which is the only thing that works

Parameters:
PH: 6.0 (agghjgihntsh)
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrate: 5ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm

 

Pringlethesnail Thank you so much for this guide and answering all the questions!

... I'm not familiar with the website setup for the Aquarium Forum, how do I find the guide? I would love to take a look at it? Thanks!

 

Feeding- These snails need their own diet. They cannot live off of algae or left over fish food. They are OMNIVOROUS so they need to be eating sinking pellets containing some sort of meat. They digest small sinking wafers the best. Ingredients to look for in a good pellet/wafer (in no specific order) are: krill, fish, silkworm pupae, seaweed, spirulina, shrimp, crab, etc. They should be fed a sinking pellet containing some of these things at least every-other day. 1-2x a week you can feed them algae wafers or blanched vegetables if you want, but they have no dietary need for them.

This is news to me. Wow. Well... I guess mine are managing. They've grown A LOT.

 

They love Omega One Shrimp Pellets and to a lesser degree, the Veggie Rounds.

 

Hey guys! Figured this would be the best thread to ask this.

I just had my LF gold mystery, Ichor, pass away while I wasn’t home. Full mantle collapse; my loaches pulled him out fo the shell and ate everything except the meat attached to the trap door. He had been curled up for a few days before that, likely unmoving. Now my black striated is doing the same thing, and I’m very worried about him.
I have some PH issues; had to replace my filter and it didn’t properly cycle with the old media, and caused a system reboot. My tap PH is incredibly low (6.5) and water changes do not help. I’ve been removing my mysteries while I use the API proper ph 7.0 granulated chemical, which is the only thing that works

Parameters:
PH: 6.0 (agghjgihntsh)
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrate: 5ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm

Crushed Coral solved all my PH problems. Just put some in your filter and you will never have to worry about your PH again.

(Also might be why your cycle didn't work properly)

 

Finally an expert on Mystery Snails!! Is it normal for Mystery snail to go to the surface, suck in some air and just drop down to the surface, and repeat like 10 times?

 

Finally an expert on Mystery Snails!! Is it normal for Mystery snail to go to the surface, suck in some air and just drop down to the surface, and repeat like 10 times?

All day every day!

 

Is it true that a male mystery snail can turn female in an all male population? Because either my youngest one did, or the experienced person sexed him wrong. I know the older two had male appendages, they used them on each other often. (Not the siphon! I'm trying to be delicate without sounding clueless.) The youngest just got adult size and now eggs appear.

 

Is it true that a male mystery snail can turn female in an all male population? Because either my youngest one did, or the experienced person sexed him wrong. I know the older two had male appendages, they used them on each other often. (Not the siphon! I'm trying to be delicate without sounding clueless.) The youngest just got adult size and now eggs appear.

I'm 99 percent sure Mystery Snails do not change sex. It was probably sexed wrong. I think females ar much larger too. Not sure if this applies to your situation but it was true for me.

 

My female is the smallest still because she is younger. I won't blame the person who sexed her, she was little back then. I didn't think anything about it when she was getting mounted because my older males mount each other. My first lesson in Mystery Snail gender was that the mounted one isn't necessarily a female. My larger male is the more frequent mounter so I might have an odd bunch too.

 

My snail has something like this but just smaller,
what causes this? I’ve read that it can happen from them mating and their shells rubbing together...(?)

 

My snail has something like this but just smaller, View attachment 650738what causes this? I’ve read that it can happen from them mating and their shells rubbing together...(?)

My female had a small indention from being mounted CONSTANTLY. But now it has grown back.

 

Well I guess my female was lucky that she never got that because she too was mounted constantly. But the mount-happy male did have some serious flaking to his shell edge. Sorry no pics. Maybe it came from trying to be thrown off by the female and less pushy male. The female once closed up while he was trying to enter and that worked!

 

What am I seeing... The wavy white yuck flowing from the foot area

 

this may sound like a dumb question, but is there any way to ensure a betta wouldn’t eat the sinking pellet before the snail? He would be able to get to it much faster than the snail could, even if they were both fed at the same time.

 

No, not really. You don't want to stress your betta by putting them in a container or something. I always feed the snails in the exact same spot so they learn to go there when they are hungry. Then I'm able to drop the food to them directly. The betta will probably try to nibble it, but the snails will steal it if the betta is not aggressive/ nipping them.

 

i have reptile calcium powder that contains the following ingredients: Calcium carbonate, oyster shell flour, salt, calcium sulfate, potassium chloride, ferrous fumarate, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, manganous oxide, copper sulfate. Is that safe to use as a supplement for my mystery snail? I'm new to them (just got mine yesterday) and wanna give the guy a good life! TIA!

 

i have reptile calcium powder that contains the following ingredients: Calcium carbonate, oyster shell flour, salt, calcium sulfate, potassium chloride, ferrous fumarate, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, manganous oxide, copper sulfate. Is that safe to use as a supplement for my mystery snail? I'm new to them (just got mine yesterday) and wanna give the guy a good life! TIA!

I wouldn't use it mainly because of the copper sulfate. I would only consider using anything like that if you use distilled or R/O water to fill your tanks. Tap water will almost always contain enough minerals for snails. My mystery snails all live at least 8 months and grow to a good size without using any supplements. They eat leftover fish food or pieces of sinking pellets like shrimp pellets or Veggie Rounds. The only other thing I add is a small piece of cuttlebone every 90 days or so. The one that is in with my African Dwarf Frog loves to steal the frog pellets.