No growth - mantle problem?

[tsrebel]

I have 3 baby Achatina zanzibarica that I bought in the end of September. They've all developed this problem (as you can see on the picture): Their mantle is not covered by shell everywhere it should be. They eat more from their shell than they grow - so now their shells are actually shrinking. This is most obvious where the new whorl connects to the previous whorl. The last growth seems dry and brittle. When I'va had this problem with babies before, they've died. I really hope these will survive!
They have both cuttle bone and calcium carbonate powder. Their diet is mostly sweet potatoe, lettuce, kohlrabi and cucumber. They eat, but not much. They are not very active, but not totally inactive. I've tried to change temperature, ventilation, substrate (wet toiletpaper at the moment), humidity and snailarium size. None of these changes seem to have any effects. Some of my older snails (especially A. iredalei) also have this problem, but seem to be fine otherwise, and some have even healed (I don't know how/why).


I know this problem has been discussed before, but I couldn't find enough information on survival rate or treatment. Please share any experiences you've had with this!

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[shaydeesnail]

One of my iredaleis and one of my zanzibaricas had this problem, but grew out of it very quickly. I notice that my zanzis eat more calcium than any of my other snails, despite being smaller. It's a shame yours arent't thriving, they really are lovely snails I'm currently still waiting for my heat mats to arrive but they're just as active as they were in the summer, but their growth has slowed a little. I hope they start to perk up soon!
I know he's not been around for a few months but you could try messaging Oscar101, my zanzis were from him so he has some experience with babies.

[tsrebel]

Could this be a problem specific for iredaleis and zanzibaricas?
My A. reticulatas have had something similar from time to time, but they grow out of it and it didn't occur before they were subadults.

[muddydragon]

can you tell if they are eating any of the offered calcium sources? all i can suggest is as many sources of calcium as possible as well as the calcium carbonate powder try crushed up egg shell and/or crushed oystershell.

my snails go crazy for fishflakes, try some moistened fish flakes i think some have added vit D which helps shell growth ( if they'll eat it, then maybe try adding some calcium powder to it)
best of luck!

[tsrebel]

Thank you!
They eat the calcium carbonate (not very fond of the cuttle bone), but it doesen't help with the shell. D-vitamine has crossed my mind. Will try and find some. And will try fish flakes (tried with my other species before and they didn't like it). They do get crested gecko diet, and I think it has D-vitamine.

[tsrebel]

Sad news: The smallest one (not the one in the picture) died yesterday. Now I have 2 of originally 4 left and really hope they make it. They now have calcium with vitamine D3, but don't seem very interested.
One of my A. iredaleis died today. Ze had the same problem, but had reached maturity. Died without reproducing though. I really like this specie, but think it is time to give up. I have 3 ireds left and won't buy any more.

[shaydeesnail]

That's a shame
Maybe it's something to do with the genes of the particular ones you got. I hope your others pull through though!

[pinkunicorn]

In a case like this perhaps a stronger calcium/vitamin D source like a human tablet would be good? They're really dense in the nutrients which normally isn't good in the long run in case of overdose but here it might be beneficial. A few week's super boost of calcium and vit D to get the shell growing.

[tsrebel]

Finally some good news! My two remaining A. zanzibarica have grown and gained weight. They now look like this:

As you see, the new shell growth doesn't look good, but the fact that it is there is good. I now hope that they'll make it, and maybe their shell will eventually look better as they grow.
These are the biggest 2 of the original 4, so it seems like thir size was a help in recovering, in addition to the D3-vitamine.

[aimee]

I had this same problem with a fulica of similar size, I isolated him and raised the temperature, and gave an intense about of calcium for 3 days. He healed and is doing great now.

I'm glad yours have perked up too!

[shaydeesnail]

Maybe they need more calcium for some reason, perhaps due to poor absorption, which would be why the Vit D helped. My zanzibaricas eat away at cuttlefish like it's food and I top all their food with a pretty thick layer of calcium, and they zip through it really fast.