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Post by ironshell on May 10, 2015 1:39:52 GMT
Hi im new to the forum and to keeping snails I would just like to ask some questions. (Sorry if this is in the wrong thread) I got a Achatina Fulica baby albino jade snail a couple of months ago and he was eating near everyday then he just stopped eating and retracted really far in his shell. He does come out easily when prompted but as far as i know he will just sit there. I used to notice pieces of cucumber and cuttlebone missing but do not anymore. I got him eating some mushed up fish flakes yesterday but that was the first time i see him eat in about 6 or 7 days. My questions are: 1)Is this normal? 2)Do baby or even adult snails sleep for long periods without eating? (apart from hibernation/estivation) 3)If this is a problem how can i fix it? Thank you for your time any help will be appreciated. i.imgur.com/MQHzYj8.jpg
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Post by etana on May 10, 2015 4:11:42 GMT
Hi, unfortunately it sounds like something is upsetting your snail, a baby should not stay a whole week without moving and eating. Aestivation means the snail will seal his shell shut with calcium (you may know it already,but this is for lurkers, too). It's their way of surviving a rough period of time and they can rest for months that way, but pet GALS shouldn't need to do it much. Fully grown adults don't need to eat every day, but they too should be seen snailing around most nights. If you answer these questions we'll be better able to help. - How warm and humid is your tank? - Does the snail's "really deep retraction" mean that he fills up the entrance of the shell, or does he go so deep in that you can see into the shell and would have to reach in there to touch him? - Does he grow new shell? - Where did you get the snail? Answer those for starters and we'll see where it goes from there.
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Post by ironshell on May 10, 2015 4:36:43 GMT
Hi, The tank temperature is at 23/24degrees Celsius and with the humidity between 60-70%. He has retracted so that i would have to reach into the shell to touch him. His shell is shiny so i assume he is growing new shell he has also grown since i got him. I got the snail from a online shop that deals in snails (Snails4you.com where i got some advice for lowering the temperature for which i done) but the snail is still behaving this way. Here are a few pics to show you what i mean: the first pic was taken 2 days ago when i prompted him out with a spray of water if i was to leave him he would just sit there and do as these following pictures display. i.imgur.com/zxA4nnl.jpgi.imgur.com/hlYBsjU.jpgi.imgur.com/WS63yYj.jpgAgain Thanks.
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Post by Zorst on May 10, 2015 7:46:46 GMT
Have you noticed the leading edge of his shell growing ie new growth along the edge of it?
I agree something is making him unhappy, the tank that I have my baby Fulica and all my baby snails in has a temp range of 23 to 30 c and the humidity is 70 -80%. They all seem to grow and do well at this level of temp and humidity.
What other kinds of food have you been feeding him?
Warm shallow baths can also help as this tends to wake them up and make them more active. If i have a snail that's not active and not really eating for a few days I will give them a warm bath and encourage them out and give them different foods to try. Sweet potato and squash thinly sliced are often good one's to start with. You could try them both raw or cooked, what ever gets them eating.
I try to stay away from to much cucumber and melon etc though a small amount can get them eating its not exactly very nutritious.
I hope that helps a bit to start with.
Zorst
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Post by spook on May 10, 2015 9:15:07 GMT
If you have lowered the temperature and it's not helped,i would try raising the temp again .... he could be too wet too dry.so it's a process of elimanation to find out what works best for your snail.... something isn't right though..poor little guy. Fingers crossed he perks up .
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poppy
Hatchling
Posts: 30
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Post by poppy on May 10, 2015 10:19:29 GMT
I hope this helps:
I used to have this problem with all my snails. The temp was 25C and 40-50% humidity.
I was really worried so I bought sphagnum moss to raise the humidity. The temperature is now 23-24C and 80-90% Humidity. My snails are much more active and don't retract anymore. I found they immediately started eating a lot more! Even though I have a Retic and a Tiger in my tank, they are thriving. I also used to keep them on Capillary matting; thankfully I was informed to change it. Do not use Capillary matting!!!
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Post by Zorst on May 10, 2015 12:18:11 GMT
Snails definitely like moss, i collect mine here from the rocks and give it a good wash to dislodge any wild life.they certainly like to sleep on in and burrow under it.
Zorst
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Post by ironshell on May 10, 2015 13:56:38 GMT
I have sphagnum moss in my tank I might buy some more though. I will try raising the humidity to see if this helps. The strange thing is when i first got the snail everything was fine he would come out and eat without fail then he just stopped (The conditions are the same). I think he is growing new shell, is it possible his shell is growing faster than his body? Do snails sleep for long periods of time when growing? the foods i have tried: -Cucumber -Lettuce -Tomato -Plumb -Banana -Water Cress -Crushed and moist fish flakes (He had a few bites of this a couple of days ago)
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Post by Zorst on May 10, 2015 14:18:37 GMT
You may want to try some of these foods as they are higher in protin which he will need if he's growing
Sweet potato Sweet corn or baby corn Sweet pepper Squash Pumpkin Courgette Carrot Parsnip Swede Runner or green beans Dandelion leaves Cabbage Chard Apple Pear Asparagus stems or whole Peas Grapes Blue berries Raspberries Strawberries Melon and Cucumber (Not highly nutritious but a good treat and something most snails like so can be used to tempt them) Peach Hard boiled eggs mashed up Cooked unseasoned meat Pumpkin seeds These are along side what you've already tried. Banana mashed is a good base for a mash if you want to try one.
Zorst
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Post by ironshell on May 10, 2015 14:33:42 GMT
Thanks for the suggestions Zorst i will try putting some of these foods in to see if they tempt him. I would also like to add when i put him on food he just turns around, burrows and goes back to sleep. I will also try him with a bath tonight.
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poppy
Hatchling
Posts: 30
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Post by poppy on May 10, 2015 14:44:28 GMT
You may want to try some of these foods as they are higher in protin which he will need if he's growing Sweet potato Sweet corn or baby corn Sweet pepper Squash Pumpkin Courgette Carrot Parsnip Swede Runner or green beans Dandelion leaves Cabbage Chard Apple Pear Asparagus stems or whole Peas Grapes Blue berries Raspberries Strawberries Melon and Cucumber (Not highly nutritious but a good treat and something most snails like so can be used to tempt them) Peach Hard boiled eggs mashed up Cooked unseasoned meat Pumpkin seeds These are along side what you've already tried. Banana mashed is a good base for a mash if you want to try one. Zorst Yeah, I give my snails protein once a week.
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Post by etana on May 10, 2015 16:11:23 GMT
One more question: have you done a full substrate change?
(The answer should be no in most cases.)
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Post by ironshell on May 10, 2015 16:15:04 GMT
No same substrate since i got the snail. would also like to add when he is coming out he makes a popping sound what is this?
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Post by jdjn13 on May 10, 2015 19:43:02 GMT
Hope all is okay with your little one!
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Post by cliath on May 10, 2015 20:14:19 GMT
No same substrate since i got the snail. would also like to add when he is coming out he makes a popping sound what is this? The popping may be discomfort, or possibly a build up of liquid while being retracted.
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