Mystery Snails with cracks - How to Safely Add Calcium?

I have 10 mystery snails in my 75 gallon tropical freshwater tank. They are constantly laying eggs all over the top of the tank so I guess they are relatively happy? However a couple of them are showing largeish cracks on their shells. Not sure if this is from being occasionally batted around by my pleco, or just from wear? I gather than calcium is likely missing from their diet, so should rectify that ASAP? However I want to make sure I don't shock the fish (bgkf, a pleco and some bala shark, all young) in the tank. Should I build up the calcium levels slowly over time to avoid this? I saw the Weco Wonder Shell and wondered if that was a straightforward way to slowly release calcium into the water, so it wasn't a big jump? Is there a risk of messing with the pH level (~7.5) by adding calcium?

*Yes, a bigger tank is in my near future.

(Also whilst I 'm here, so far none of the 10-20 egg clutches has hatched -- but this one here looks v. different, has this one hatched or is this decaying? \/)





--Sam

 

That is one approach. Also feed stuff like spinach, it is pretty high in calcium as far as veggies go. Also, i think it is called Kat's snail food, is packed with a decent amount of calcium.

 

I have 10 mystery snails in my 75 gallon tropical freshwater tank. They are constantly laying eggs all over the top of the tank so I guess they are relatively happy? However a couple of them are showing largeish cracks on their shells. Not sure if this is from being occasionally batted around by my pleco, or just from wear? I gather than calcium is likely missing from their diet, so should rectify that ASAP? However I want to make sure I don't shock the fish (bgkf, a pleco and some bala shark, all young) in the tank. Should I build up the calcium levels slowly over time to avoid this? I saw the Weco Wonder Shell and wondered if that was a straightforward way to slowly release calcium into the water, so it wasn't a big jump? Is there a risk of messing with the pH level (~7.5) by adding calcium?

*Yes, a bigger tank is in my near future.

(Also whilst I 'm here, so far none of the 10-20 egg clutches has hatched -- but this one here looks v. different, has this one hatched or is this decaying? \/)

View attachment 879802 View attachment 879803

--Sam

You could also add crushed coral or cuttlebone to the filter which will slowly release calcium into the water. I have before “shaved” the cuttlebone onto the water’s surface, it will settle into the tank and will look like snow, then the snails will eat it. If you do this just before you go to bed when the tank lights go out, it’ll mean the snails will be active and the fish will be less active.

 

The Kat food sounds like the easiest way to help the snails out without messing with the water too much?

Tangential update re: hatching -- yep, there is now a procession of baby snails headed out... probably to be eaten by the fish? They're cute tho.

 

The shell damage will not repair, but the calcium will prevent new damage. I have used cuttle bone. It's cheaper than wonder shells.

 

When I had mystery snails (haven't had any in over a year) I used Wonder Shells, and yes they are expensive, don't last all that long. I never knew much about cuttlebone. I sterilize egg shells and crush them into small bits, and add those to my shrimp tanks for calcium. I'd assume that would work for them also? But I don't have as large a tank, just a 40 and 2 10's. People always talk about cuttlebone, so I'd say for your tank, that's the best choice.

And congrats on the baby snails. They will eat everything they can find and grow super fast! Lots of algae wafers, veggies, sinking wafers - you'll soon have quite a tankful of snails! They do need calcium to develop their ever-growing shells.

 

I put a piece of cuttlebone right in the tank the last time I had snails. They will gnash on it. you can also put cuttlebone in the filter.
You can put tums tablets in the tank for the snails.
Consider making snello. especially now that you have those babies. The gelatine itself is good for them, and you can add great foods even vitamins to make it even better.

 

I have several pieces of coral from Bermuda and the Caribbean in the tank as well as some sedimentary stones, keeping calcium up for my snails.

 

I have several pieces of coral from Bermuda and the Caribbean in the tank as well as some sedimentary stones, keeping calcium up for my snails.

just wondering if that changed your Ph.?

 

The shell damage will not repair, but the calcium will prevent new damage. I have used cuttle bone. It's cheaper than wonder shells.

Is there a case where it would be humane to euthanize a snail with a damaged shell -- does it cause them pain, or lead to further complications? Or given the safe(r) environment of the tank, is it OK to leave them be if they're otherwise OK?

 

Found tums to be messy and cuttlebone takes awhile would add crushed coral or for direct dosing Api marine calcium.

 

Is there a case where it would be humane to euthanize a snail with a damaged shell -- does it cause them pain, or lead to further complications? Or given the safe(r) environment of the tank, is it OK to leave them be if they're otherwise OK?

There is no need to euthanise. I think the damage would need to be severe before that was needed. Once you put a calcium source in the tank, any new shell produced should be fine. I would leave it.

 

Is there a case where it would be humane to euthanize a snail with a damaged shell -- does it cause them pain, or lead to further complications? Or given the safe(r) environment of the tank, is it OK to leave them be if they're otherwise OK?

I think it’s not too much of an issue really unless you can physically see the snail body through the shell. If it gets to that stage then you will most likely find that the snail will die very soon anyway.