Slow growing snail now has worms !

[punki]

I got two GALs for my 9year old son 7weeks ago.
They came as a pair, from the same batch but since we have had them one of them has hardly grown. The larger is now about twice the size (there was only a slight difference to start with)
When I was cleaning poo from the tank today I noticed small worms with black pointed heads in the poo (the worms were about 1mm thick and upto 1cm long) I am fairly sure they are from the smallest as the piles of faeces are sizably different too.
For a while I have seen tiny mites living on the poo but none on the snails.
They are both eating well, coming out regually and otherwise seem happy.
I would really appreciate any advice you can give as I have grown very fond of them both and want to do everything I can.

[coyote]

I can see how worms would cause slow growth -- they live inside the snail and live off the nutrients it eats before the snail can absorb them properly. That could certainly cause slow growth, and even malnutrition and illness in cases of severe infestations.

Pumpkin seeds are good for killing worms. My garden snails will eat whole seeds, rasping them away little by little, but I've seen it recommended to grind them up for the snails. Try it both ways; hopefully the snails will eat the seeds and the worms will be gone eventually.

Good luck!

[punki]

I have just put some pumkin seeds in the tank, but neither of them have touched any.
They adore cucumber so if i grind some pumkin seeds the powder would just about stick to it (i hope)
Thanks for the suggestion

[punki]

I smushed up some pumpkin seeds last night and smothered a couple of pieces of cucumber with the paste. I saw the little one eating it so i hope it will be doing some good.
I have also noticed that the smaller ones pupil isn't in the correct place in the eye stalk at one side. With its other eye the pupil is central in the tip part of the eye stalk like the other snail, but this one is permenantly at the bottom of the ball part where it joins to the stalk. I am starting to think it isn't a very healthy snail genetically or a runt (but i know that the possibiliy of snail runts are up for debate in this forum).

Has anyone else seen a pupil in the wrong position on their snail?
Could it mean its blind at one side ?

[Rachel]

it's more common than people realise for snails to be born with wonky pupils, it does not affect the snail much.

[coyote]

It's possible the abnormal eye is a reflection of a systemic problem affecting the whole snail, which may account for its slow growth. There is so much we just don't know about snails. We often have to speculate, and often with little info to go on.

I hope the pumpkin seeds at least help with the worms. Glad to hear he ate some of it. Let us know how he's doing.

[punki]

Does the wonky eye mean he is half blind or is there no way to tell ?
He seems happy atm, so I hope i can help before he shows more signs of deteriation.
Reading through this forum has been of more use than days of trawling the web for help. Thankyou all and I'll let you know how it goes

[punki]

My sons two Fulica's Crusty and Brian (their the same age)

[punki]

Update ;

Well, its been just over 3 weeks and I haven't seen any worms for the past two and a half weeks. So I feel pretty confident that the pumpkin seeds worked and the problem is under control for now.
The smallest snail even seems to be getting bigger, nowhere near caught up to his sibling but any growth has to be a good thing, right ?

[coyote]

Glad to hear the pumpkin seeds helped!

Also glad to hear the little one is growing. That's a good sign!