I need to help my snail

[Fishy Newbie]

Hello, I have a Ramshorn snail that came to us on a new plant swvwral months ago. We decided to keep it and it's grown to about the size of a dime. His shell has developed deep ridges, despite my efforts to help with cuttlebone, snail jello and algae wafers. Currently, he is isolated in a floating fish keeper in the top of the aquarium so I can watch him and make sure he is getting food. He is very active. Is there a way to patch his shell, or is OK to survive as is? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Uberhoust]

The snail is pretty bad looking. You might try some type of cyanoacrylate glue on the eroded sections, but that is more of a guess than anything else. You would have to make sure the glue does not enter the mantle cavity at all. They have used this type of glue on people. Don't honestly know how well it work and it might just end up killing the snail. Just a thought.

 

[Fishy Newbie]

Where would I get the cyanoacryloate material you mentioned? And how would I keep it out of the mantle cavity? BTW, I have two Nerites who are in perfect condition. Thanks for your help so far.

 

[Essjay]

Most superglue is cyanoacrylate, just check the ingredients.





A few years ago I was trying to remove the 'dead' suckers from my filter bracket and the stanley knife slipped and embedded in my finger. I didn't go to urgent care till the next day and was told if I'd gone there immediately they would have superglued it closed. Leaving it till next day meant possible infection so they had to use steristrips instead.

 

[Colin_T]

What is the pH of the water?
If it's below 7.0, you need to add something to raise it to 7.0 or slightly above (depending on the fish being kept)

 

[Uberhoust]

To keep the glue, super glue as someone mentioned, I would hold the snail updside down and dab the glue onto the eroded areas with the glue on a Q-Tip or something similar.

A few years ago I was trying to remove the 'dead' suckers from my filter bracket and the stanley knife slipped and embedded in my finger. I didn't go to urgent care till the next day and was told if I'd gone there immediately they would have superglued it closed. Leaving it till next day meant possible infection so they had to use steristrips instead.

Back in the day 70s/80s we used to use the glue mentioned on our fingers after and during rock climbing. I don't climb anymore but I still keep it in my first aid kit. Just don't let your fingers get stuck together.

 

[Ram419]

Calcium rich foods. So try blanched kale leaves or cucumbers and unsalted green beans in addition to the algae wafers.

I feed my mystery snails and red cherry shrimp at least once per week, usually green beans.

 

[Fishy Newbie]

To keep the glue, super glue as someone mentioned, I would hold the snail updside down and dab the glue onto the eroded areas with the glue on a Q-Tip or something similar.


Back in the day 70s/80s we used to use the glue mentioned on our fingers after and during rock climbing. I don't climb anymore but I still keep it in my first aid kit. Just don't let your fingers get stuck together.

Thanks for your suggestion, but I glue my fingers every time I use it for anything. I'll spare the snail and find another way

 

[Fishy Newbie]

What is the pH of the water?
If it's below 7.0, you need to add something to raise it to 7.0 or slightly above (depending on the fish being kept)

PH in our Fluval tank runs consistently 6.5-7.0. All of the nerites have shell problems, just the ramshorn, but he had problems from the beginning when we found him in the tank. For the past 2 weeks, he's been isolated in a floating plastic cube at the top of the tank. None.of the fish can get to him and he's had shrimp pellets, algae pellets and a piece of cuttlebone, which he's munching on, too. Shell is looking a little better.

 

[Fishy Newbie]

PH in our Fluval tank runs consistently 6.5-7.0. All of the nerites have shell problems, just the ramshorn, but he had problems from the beginning when we found him in the tank. For the past 2 weeks, he's been isolated in a floating plastic cube at the top of the tank. None.of the fish can get to him and he's had shrimp pellets, algae pellets and a piece of cuttlebone, which he's munching on, too. Shell is looking a little better.

My bad...none of the Nerites have shell problems, just the ramshorn.