Deep retraction help (A. fulica)

[picklepies]

Hi guys, wondering if I can get some help with my oldest fulica. Jim's been looking slightly under the weather now for a good few months, with periods when he seems better. In the last 4 days, however, he has consistently been very retracted in the mornings, a good 2/3 inches. He comes out fine enough and stays out and active throughout the day, and moves around during the night, but is retracted in the mornings. This does seem like the early stages of deep retraction syndrome, but I was wondering if anyone could give any advice on how to circumnavigate the ending of death,  or if anyone's had a snail who's gotten better? 

[jolovessnailies]

I am sorry Picklepies love, I will have to leave it to the experts but I hope he gets well soon.

Hugs
JO xx

[etana]

I've had very elderly wild caughts who slept like that and lived for many months still, I suppose their muscles were just showing their age. Deep retraction syndrome would cause the snail to turn sideways in his shell and he would have lots of trouble eating. A lot of deep retraction thankfully isn't that illness.

Some younger snails who have done that have gone back to sleeping more normally after I took the time to feed them individually, in the kitchen, on a few days.

I hope Jim is ok. The recent attempt at egg laying must have been hard on him. Keep us updated.

[picklepies]

Jim hasn't turned sideways, so is it possible it's not deep retraction and might not mean he's on his way out?

[etana]

Yes. I would give him some extra pampering anyway, to see if his sleeping position goes back to normal.

[jolovessnailies]

Everything crossed for little Jimmy hun, I hope he s better soon. Lots of snaily snuggles on the way.

Hugs
Jo xx

[picklepies]

Aw thanks Jo I have noticed some white bug things in the tank, I've cleaned it twice with new coir etc but they're still there, would it be worth using g coir matting or such to see if they go away?

[etana]

What you should do depends entirely on what they are. A couple questions:
- Do the bugs look like they know what a snail is, or does it look like the snail could just as well be a rock?
- Do they run in and out of the snails' breathing hole, or is their movement random?
- Do they jump when you point at them with a finger (from less than 1 inch away)?
- Do they gather in the bath tub?
- Are the bugs round or long? Moving fast or slow?
- Do they gather on food and poop, or where?
- Can you see their body parts or are they too small for that?

There's a good chance they're completely harmless or even slightly beneficial (in small enough numbers anyway), the actually harmful guys are the only ones that really absolutely require attention. Your answers to my questions will hopefully reveal who's living in your tank. You should avoid full coir changes as that hurts the snails, so answer those questions before doing anything else, ok?

[picklepies]

I can't see any parts of the bugs thet're just blobs (round), and they.move slowely. I haven't seen any going in air holes and they don't jump when I point a finger.
There does appear to be a few in the water bowl, though they appear loads on food and poop, mostly the softer foods that have been in longer.
They don't appear to have any active plans, but the seen the on Jim mostly when I pick him up if he's been sleeping.
There might aso be some on the other snails but they're more light coloured s could be blending in?
I think that's all the questions answered lol, I could try ad get a picture if the would help?

[etana]

Thanks for answering. You can add a pic, but I'm already pretty sure those are not bad guys. The harmful Riccardoella mite can run fast, and they will go in and out of the snail and run sort of zig-zaggy. I was hoping you had springtails, but alas not those either (they're considered a bit beneficial).

Anyway, those little mites that you have, I think I have them in one tank as well. I can imagine they'd irritate the snails if in big numbers, but they don't look parasitic to me, I've never seen them go inside the snails either. They're mostly in old food as you say.

Usually the bugs who go for old food can be reduced by changing the food more often on a few consecutive days, which is a slight shame as some snails like their food a bit old, lol. These buggers seem a bit difficult to completely remove though, as I don't want to sterilize my tanks unless whatever is in it is definitely hurting the snails more.

Hope this helps

[picklepies]

It does thank you I was worried! Yeah Apollo loves old food which is annoying for getting rid of the mites but she can suck it up for a few days. I'm always a but unsure about fully sterilising a tank as well, always afraid it'd d more harm than help x

[jolovessnailies]

You are so welcome Picklepies love, that s what we are here for, to support and help each other. I am glad your little beasties are not harmful, I would freak if I saw anything like that, everyone would be out and there would be a complete change which probably would be worse for my snailies. You would certainly be receiving a panic note from me Etana hun LOL!! I have those little fruit flies but they seem harmless enough. Do keep us posted.

Hugs
Jo xx

[picklepies]

it is lovely to have people as lovely as you guys for reassurance! It's actually a bit odd, Jims been very mobile and healthy looking the last 2 days. I Can Only attribute the change to the retic being moved in as the roof of their house broke. It is quite sweet to see the two baby retics clamouring over Jim and sleeping on him x

[jolovessnailies]

I am so pleased to hear this Picklepies love, isn't the relief a wonderful feeling? With having had problems with mine over the past week or so I have been thinking of you have both been in my prayers. The babies are so very cute and I love to see mine hitching rides on their much biggers companions.

Hugs
Jo xx

[picklepies]

Hi hugs,  it appears I spoke too soon. In the space of about 2 hours Jim became very retracted, moving away from the other snails before falling on his side. I put him in a green tea bath but its taken him about 5 minutes just too start moving and he is only half heartedly going for the food. Is there anything more I can do?