Bathing snails

[pumpkineater]

Are there any health benefits to bathing snails?
I do mine about once a week, and they seem to enjoy it, but I was just wondering if there is an actual purpose to it beyond aesthetics.

[Tigs]

I do it once a week aswell. Good way of inspecting the snails and seeing if there are any problems that arent obvious.

Also will remove any mites that maybe hiding - Although this doesnt seem to be a problem since i got the nice mites.

Plus they do seem to enjoy/appreciate it

Tigs ;D

[Vida]

Can someone explain how they give the snails a bath properly?

I do put Bambi on my hand and spray with water and clean it, usually if there has been no activity for two or three days, just to get it to come out and eat.

When I have read about bathing snails, all descriptions sound as if there is too much water and there is danger of the snail drowning.

Is spraying enough?

[Arno]

I don't give my snails a bath often,only when they need to be really clean for a photo,usually I spray them when they are in the tank.The most important thing is,I think,to make sure the water level never gets higher than the snails breathing hole especially with smaller snails.

[Tigs]

I set up three tubs

One to get the majority of the crud off - I use a soft tooth brush to get the stubborn stuff off

The second as a mite cleaner and rinse - seperate toothbrush

Third just to make doubly sure all everything is off. This one has a dose of Liquid calcium in and isnt very deep.

Tigs ;D

Iv seen loads of people doing it under the tap and the snails seem fine

[spook]

I just rinse off my snailies under the tap,usually when i give the tanks a big clean out...about once a month!

I scrub the shell with an old toothbrush whilst I'm at it....they never seem to mind being put under the tap...that's how I've always done it!

;D

[Val]

I spray mine while they are in the tank or rinse them under a trickling tap.

Val

[manxminx]

Rinsing under the tap sounds great, but unfortunately we don't have any mixer taps here, only hot and cold water taps

Ali.

[Vida]

Ok, thanks, I think I have a general idea now.

[crossless]

I usually keep my fingers open so excess water will flow to drain. I read that better for snails shells is to use paintbrush or cotton bud. My snails sometimes try to catch water, usually they drink water of river what comes in my hand. Now days I just clean their shells 'cos we gotta pay from water we use.

When it's time to clean up tank, in wash snails shells and put them in sink with lil bit water. And put them to cleaned tank after bath.

[cerri]

i bath mine once a week aswell and they seem to really enjoy it. ive only had them a couple of weeks but they come out and have a good look around!

[crossless]

First times they just peek little bit under the shell, but as they start to notice the water don't harm them, they will start to love it even more and my snails try to catch the water.

[mikaela]

I have read a couple of conflicting posts about bathing snails so wonder if someone could clear this up for me. Do snails breathe through their heads of their big hole on the side!? It's just that I don't want to drown them!

[AlienSnail]

When you turn a snail over you'll find an opening pretty much where the snail meets the shell. They poop through it, and they breath through it.
If the water covers their fleshy body and the shell opening stays above the water level then they can breath.
Snails can and sometimes do immerse their heads in water, it's fine as they do not breath with their heads.
Hope that helps

[mikaela]

Brilliant thanks, I know where you mean, so basically a bath has to be pretty shallow