Rasp marks on large snail?

[incantrix]

Hi, I've just noticed something very strange..

I've currently got 5 margies, one is much older than the others and about 5 times their size but he seems fine with them, they climb over him sometimes and it doesn't seem to worry him. This morning I opened the lid and noticed he was stuck to the side of the tank which is quite unusual for him, he normally burrows or hides under bark. I gave him a gentle spray of warm water and noticed what looks to be rasp marks on his shell! Is it possible that one of the smaller snails has been trying to eat his shell?? His shell is really thick, I don't think he is damaged or anything but it's a bit worrying. They have a large cuttlefish bone which they use from time to time. Should I move him to a different tank? Has anyone else experienced this? I've looked at him several times and I'm certain that it's been nibbled!

[deadmansfinger]

He probably has been nibbled. I wouldn't move him unless it gets really bad.
I don't know of anything you can do if your margies think shell tastes better than cuttlefish

It seem margies will eat anything......even each other!

Brian ;D

[incantrix]

Ok thanks, it's not bad it just looks odd because his shell is quite dark! If it happens again I might move him...poor thing.

[sezzy5889]

he may have rasped himself or even fell and chipped the shell, anythings possible

[incantrix]

Hi, unfortunately it's happened again and this time I actually saw him at it! The large one dug himself into the ground this morning and then one of the smaller ones was roaming around, climbed onto his shell and started rasping at it. I left him there for about 20 mins and then gently lifted him off and found exactly the same marks on the shell! The big one doesn't seem to have even noticed and it happened right next to a piece of cuttlefish bone so I don't know what to do. I put him on the cuttlefish and he had quite a lot of that. Should I put some kind of calcium supplement on their fruit and veg or could I maybe put something on his shells that isn't toxic but will stop this happening? I don't think it's doing any serious harm but I feel a bit sorry for him being chewed in his sleep!

[sonicsnail]

You could try putting ground up cuttlefish on their food. Or you may even have to remove the larger snail from that tank, if you don't like it happening.

[incantrix]

Thanks for the advice, I'll try the cuttlefish idea. I hope I don't end up having to move him he seems happier with the others than he did on his own. I'm sure it's not causing him any problems but he has such a lovely pattern on his shell it's a bit sad seeing marks on him. Is this rare or do snails just sometimes fail to realise the thing they are eating is another snail?