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silane
19th Mar 2008, 05:04 AM
I have this badly pitted snail. Anyone know how to recover it?

http://www.shrimpnow.com/mygallery/files/2/pitted.jpg
tancho_kuhaku
2nd Apr 2008, 03:37 AM
whats the cause of that?
Katalyst
7th May 2008, 02:47 AM
Low levels of pH can cause shells to detiorate as well as pH levels of 8.0 and higher. A good pH for snails is 7.6-7.8 is where I keep my breeders and their shells are gleaming. I noticed a significant difference in their shells by using a diet high in veggies with lots of calicum as well as frozen brine shrimp which they love.
TitoC
7th May 2008, 10:55 AM
did it happen suddenly? it looks like a wound!
or do the other snails also have it?

If it is a recent wound, perhaps you could disinfect it or even cover the opening with something. I will check my book on invertebrate medicine when I get home, maybe it says something on it.
In the meantime it could be a good idea to isolate the animal so nobody can get to it. perhaps the snail will recover on its own.
silane
7th May 2008, 12:53 PM
I have now keep it in slight alkaline water, there is no sign of recover. I am thinking of dosing MOSURA Mineral Plus but not sure it will hurt the open wound.
TitoC
7th May 2008, 05:13 PM
In this book they describe a case with a fractured apple snail. They rinsed the wound with sterile saline and the applied external fixation to keep the broken pieces locked together. Then the wound healed and stabalized the crack.
But I guess its too late to rinse now, and the piece is missing...

There are some sprays for humans to cover up wounds temporarily. Maybe worth a try?
Otherwise just pray...
mistern2005
7th May 2008, 05:51 PM
The spixi snail in my CRS tank has a pitted shell a well. The spixi snials in my other tanks do not have this issue. In another forum the consensus as to why this happens is from being in soft, acidic water. My snail is still heathly and active even though his shell is pitted. If anyone has an idea of what to use to adhere to the shell to help "patch" the degraded areas, I'd be intersted to learn.
TitoC
7th May 2008, 08:18 PM
in theory: a piece of shell or coral glued in place with surgical glue.
coral is even used in human bone surgery.

in practice.. find a crazy surgeon?:p

but afterall, removing the cause will cut it, not patching them up..
the healing will only be successful when they are under good conditions, the kind where they dont get pitted shells. they could probably heal themselves with ersatz shell then.