shell with cracks on and bits falling off

[amme]

HI I have gto some baby GALS and the part of the shell nearest the opening has started to peel off and come away. (I have just given them a bath and this is when it happened) Is that normal?

Also they have also got cracks in their shells and feel VERY fragile and delicate when held.
They have got cuttle fish in their tank all the time and are placed
on it every day.
What can i do to help them get their shells better.

Please help as my children are very concerned about their snails

[Wayne]

Hi Amme,
How old are the snails, and how long have you had them?
I think some pictures would help everyone decide if there is anything wrong with them.

Wayne

[amme]

We bougt the snails about 1 month ago as babies - they were as big as half a thumb. Their shells were slightly damaged then but i thought they would get better. I will try and get some pics taken for to look at.
thanks Wayne

[amme]

o.k i have tried to take pics but my camera is a pile of poo and wont focus properly to be able to see what is going on.

[Dusk]

They can repair a lot of damage but it does sound like they've maybe not had enough calcium in the past. You can help them regrow/strengthen the shall by offering them multiple sources of calcium - maybe a cuttlefish and some limestone flour, and something that a lot of people seem to find helpful is adding a few drops of liquid calcium to their spray bottles as well.

[amme]

o.k thanks, I'll pop to the hsop tomorrow and get some liquid calcium and give it a go. Thankyou.

[madhouse]

I always sprinkle some limestone flour onto the substrate as well so Dillon nibbles at it anyway - also you could try grating some cuttlefish onto their food and that way you know they're definately getting some

[amme]

HI I have bought this- 2:0 calcium/no phosorous powdered supplement with vitamins. That is the writing on the label.is it the right sort of thing??

[Dusk]

I haven't used the powdered form but it should do the job - you can mix it in with their water if it's water soluble, or sprinkle it on their food.

[amme]

Thanks. I have sprinled some on some pear that i have put in there for them and placed them ontop of the pear so hopefully they should get some calcium and start looking a bit healthier.