|
Post by margiebargie on Jan 30, 2009 11:41:06 GMT
Hi everyone! I'm new to this snailkeeping business but love this site - so informative!! So ... my problem is I go to the tank this morning and the whole side of the tank is dotted with small thin white worms, about 3mm long, some of which are still moving! YUK! What do I do?! Only cleaned tank out completely last Sat! Took all 6 the snailies out and washed them - couldn;t see any of the worms on the snails. Are they worms, do you think, or larvae of some kind. There are no flies in the tank though ....
|
|
coyote
Archachatina papyracea
Cochleas ego amo
Posts: 2,955
|
Post by coyote on Jan 31, 2009 4:09:54 GMT
Hi margiebargie, welcome to the forum! I did a quick search for topics about white worms and came up with this one and this one. How are your snails? Are they behaving normally and eating normally? If so, that's a good sign.
|
|
|
Post by margiebargie on Feb 1, 2009 12:09:35 GMT
WoW! Hi Coyote - feels like I'm making contact with a celebrity or something - I've read loads on this forum and you're always there with some fab advice or some sympathy .. whatever's needed!! Thanks for replying to me! Really odd ... the worms have just totally vanished! Cleaned the tank out after posting the message and two days later they've just disappeared, and there were LOADS of them, some dead and some still moving ... just horrible! The snails in that tank are of all diff ages, from 6mths old to around 2 yrs. In that tank there's my 2 fave snailies, my first pair - big albino margies, not sure which type though, suturalis maybe? They're really beautiful - remind me of big bars of milky bar choc when they're fully out! Anyway, thank god the worms have gone - or maybe they're still inside the snails - not sure! And yes, the snails in that tank are all eating normally and behaving normally too, don't seem sick or unwell at all, unlike my two 18 mth old immacs who are both in isolation at the mo as they have been retracted for two weeks and only come out when given a bath, and then they go straight inside their shells again! They're losing weight and their shells look "bleached" and too big for their little bodies but they're still hanging on - read about putting them in the freezer, etc, but don't know - they might pull through!? Thought one was dead yesterday and was kind of relieved for the little guy, as I opened the tank and it smelled "fishy" (hate that smell!) but, no, they both came out and had some cucumber and a bit of snaily mash, but then disappeared inside again! Anyway, I'm gabbling - I'm good at that!! Thanks again, Coyote, for responding - really appreciate info from people who know their stuff! xx
|
|
|
Post by margiebargie on Feb 1, 2009 12:10:04 GMT
... and thanks Coyote, for your warm welcome to the forum!
|
|
Rachel
Archachatina puylaerti
They see me snailin'
Posts: 1,183
|
Post by Rachel on Feb 1, 2009 15:19:23 GMT
what substrate are you using with the immacs? they can be very tempramental, and a change of substrate might improve things. try sticking to loads of crunchy lettuce to clear out their systems. Immacs often get shell colour loss, its fairly common with them so its probally not part of whatever is up with them. it might be worthwhile bathing them then putting them straight on food, and misting them while they are on it to encourage them to stay out. also how humid is their tank? as for the little white worms, if you gave the tank a full clean out and there is no sign of them or flies/buggy things they may well all have just gone, it may be worthwhile putting a thin guazy fabric over the tanks air holes to prevent any flies and things getting in the tank. Hope you'll find the forum useful and I hope your snails will be ok.
|
|
coyote
Archachatina papyracea
Cochleas ego amo
Posts: 2,955
|
Post by coyote on Feb 1, 2009 21:12:40 GMT
I'm glad the worms have vanished and the snails seem okay. I think putting a thin fabric over the tank's airholes is a good idea. Also, making sure all fruit and veg is well washed before being put in the tank will help wash off any eggs or larvae that might be lurking on the produce. Of course, keep a close eye on the tank for the next week or two to make sure. I'm really glad you find the forums helpful. Good luck with your immacs!
|
|
|
Post by margiebargie on Feb 2, 2009 9:38:28 GMT
OH! Didn't realise immacs were temperamental - thanks for that! Love that you pick up different info like that here! Do they need any extra special care?! I'm using plain old multi purpose compost with the immacs at mo. Re: humidity, having a real problem here as the substrate always feels bone dry, even if I spray/mist the tank twice a day (some people only do it every other day!) - maybe it's because the central heating is on at the mo? I've one tank with some margies of diff sizes and ages in it and a couple keep sealing themselves up because, I guess, it's too dry?! Feel awful then, like I'm not providing for them properly! It's really hard to keep that tank humid as it's a terrarium with ventilated sides and roof. The immacs are having a warm bath on some lettuce as I type and are fully out, not just eating but exploring too so that's a good sign, but then I know they will fully retract again and not move until I bath them again! Also, when they appear from their shells they do so in a really wierd way, almost backwards - they roll out really strangely! Sure that's not normal! Sorry I've loads of questions and probably not the right place to post them as they're all an off shoot of my original "worms" question (no sign of the wiggly white things since thank god!), but as I'm fairly new at all this, I guess we all have to start somewhere and need to ask questions to learn how to care for the snailies properly! Love this forum, everyone is so friendly and helpful - so glad I found it! And YUK are there really "eggs and larvae" lurking on produce? - of course I wash it all first before giving it to snails and kids alike but EWWW! Thanks for all your suggestions and advice - feel as though I'm in the company of the Snail Elite! xx
|
|
Dusk
Achatina tincta
In ur viv stealin ur snailets
Posts: 665
|
Post by Dusk on Feb 2, 2009 11:54:46 GMT
As for humidity, there are a couple of things that might help. If you don't have a bowl of water in there, you can add that, and you can cover some of the ventilation holes if there are too many. If you cover up the ones on the roof, moisture will condense there and not be lost, while the side ventilation holes will still allow air to circulate.
You can also change the location of the heat source. I've found that a heat mat at the side or a heat lamp above is ideal for snails that like things a little drier, whereas a heatmat under the tank keeps things pretty damp. (I've had any number of fun and games trying different setups to keep them all happy!)
Don't know about the worms, but if you're using compost you occasionally get stowaways like that. If you keep finding them, it might be an idea to use a sterile substrate like coir, or sphagnum moss, which you can submerge before use to remove any passengers.
|
|
|
Post by margiebargie on Feb 2, 2009 12:15:11 GMT
Thanks Dusk! Another celeb in the snailie world!! Have had a bit of MDF cut to size and have put that on the roof of the terrarium just now - hope that will help! Haven't a heat mat at the mo but will try that I think - thought I could get away without using one! Always have a bowl of water in the tanks - they love to have a little wallow. I just spot-cleaned out the terrarium and found a large margie, the golden land snail (forgot "proper" name iredi-something!) and a retic. sealed up so they're obviously not liking it in there - feel terrible! Hope the wood will help and also hope that it won't rot or mould with the condensation! Thanks everyone for your input!
|
|
Rachel
Archachatina puylaerti
They see me snailin'
Posts: 1,183
|
Post by Rachel on Feb 2, 2009 13:33:02 GMT
yep, immacs can be so tempremental, not all are, but most just don't tell my lot i said that. make sure you continue mist the tank every day if its not humid enough, mabye increase the number of times you do that if you already do. Putting some sphagnum in the tank on top the soil may help as it holds in moisture. immacs like higher humidity so if its not high enough that might be why they are not coming out. try putting warm water in a seperate bowl as well so that it will evapourate into the air. If you are worried about the MDF rotting cover it with clingfilm to stop the water getting on it and help prevent that. Don't worry, my immacs are finiky about the tank beyond belief, i'm spraying it four times a day and keep a bowl of warm water in there for a hour twice a day, plus have a cover over some of the ventilation holes, if I don't they sulk, then perk up when it goes back to normal. you do need a heatmat or the snails will get cold, try ebay or freecycle if they are not available nearby, and a heatmat will help maintain the humidity, for now try putting hot water bottles on the side of the tank (outside) or burying small plastic bottles filled with warm water in the soil (but not to hot or your snails could burn themselves if they burrow to far). the other snails may well be to cold or not have enough humidity as well, if you can afford it really every tank should have a heat mat or something. also, is the soil chemical free? hope everything will be ok soon update us on how things go.
|
|
Dusk
Achatina tincta
In ur viv stealin ur snailets
Posts: 665
|
Post by Dusk on Feb 2, 2009 15:14:31 GMT
Dude, I'm a celebrity? Awesome If you have several tanks and they're all in the same place, you might consider rigging a heat lamp so it heats all the tanks with one bulb - might be cheaper/easier than getting several heat mats. Lack of heat and low humidity are the two things I've had snails seal up for. (They sulk when I wake them up, but if I don't get to hibernate, nobody does )
|
|
|
Post by margiebargie on Feb 6, 2009 10:14:50 GMT
Right, the beeping worms are back again - so have completely cleaned the tank out again (when I found a new clutch of eggs from my gorgeous margies) and 2 days on they seem to have not reappeared - snails are all sulking though as they don't like the complete change and are all lurking on the roof and not coming down (they have eaten tho!). Can;t see any worms on any of the 10 in the tank when I'm showering them ... re: heat mats, have ordered one each for each tank - do these heat mats use much electricity? Our elec bill is sky high at the moment and doesn't need to be hitched up again! (Dusk - the tanks are all in diff rooms so can't rig up lamps, but thanks for tip!) Also, where do I put the mats? AND ... the wood on top of the terrarium has worked a treat - opened the slidy doors and poked my head in the other day and it's like a bloomin' rainforest in there! The snailies love it and are much more active and eating more, but I've still ordered a heat mat to be safe - the mats should arrive in the post today. Thanks again everyone ! x
|
|
Dusk
Achatina tincta
In ur viv stealin ur snailets
Posts: 665
|
Post by Dusk on Feb 6, 2009 12:04:02 GMT
Usually heat mats have a wattage rating - it's the same scale as a lightbulb, so a 7w heatmat will cost the same to run as an energy-saving 7w lightbulb. If you need to, you can try only having it on at night or on an hour, off an hour with a timer. Play around with the mat, a thermometer and a hygrometer if you have one till you find a setup everyone's happy with. My margies prefer the mat under the tank rather than to one the side, as do the tigers, but the rest are less picky. Side seems to keep it drier, bottom to keep it damper.
|
|
|
Post by margiebargie on Feb 6, 2009 14:58:59 GMT
What! Do I have to get three thermometers and three hygrometers now?! How the hell do you fit them? Job for hubby, methinks! Sounds technical! Where do I buy these gizmos? x
|
|
Dusk
Achatina tincta
In ur viv stealin ur snailets
Posts: 665
|
Post by Dusk on Feb 6, 2009 16:50:10 GMT
Hehe! You can do fine with one thermometer, and a cheap glass one for fishtanks will do the job perfectly well, the kind that sucker on to the side of the tank. It's something I think is invaluable if you're trying to alter the conditions! You can move it around between tanks as long as you give it time to readjust itself berore taking readings. Hygrometers are less essential but can be useful if you have a humidity problem - again, one will do the job perfectly well. I think exo terra do a fairly inexpensive dial hygro (look in the reptile care section of pet shops) or if you feel like splashing out you can get electronic ones, in the reptile or chicken/duck/hatchery sections. All these things can also be bought from eBay, which is my preferred shopping place
|
|
|
Post by margiebargie on Feb 6, 2009 17:04:34 GMT
EBay's my preferred shopping place also, unfortunately - it's so addictive! I'm on first name terms with the local posties and they know if it's a special delivery parcel to be delivered before 1pm for me it'll be snail related so they put me first on their shift!!! They're literally at the door at 7.30am!! They must all think I'm nuts! Not far wrong, I guess! At my worst I was getting about six parcels a day and my husband was not best pleased! Anyway, thanks for more info! Will get thermometers to start with and see how I get on. My margies and retics are definately happier with the tank being more humid now - love the idea about keeping the mats a few hours on and a few hours off, will definately do that. They can't need it on all of the time?! Will try the mats under the tanks as you suggested too. Thanks Dusk, you're a useful mine of information! I'm sure you've been called worse! x
|
|
Dusk
Achatina tincta
In ur viv stealin ur snailets
Posts: 665
|
Post by Dusk on Feb 6, 2009 17:17:38 GMT
How much you need the mats on will be determined by the general temperature and how much you need to raise it to keep fussy snails happy. A cheap plug-in timer is also a useful tool - set it for one hour in three, see if it's enough, set it for more or less time as needed. One caveat - a setup that works in the winter may end up being too hot for them in summer, so it's worth checking the temperature of the tanks when the weather's suddenly shifted. I've certainly been called worse, and by people far less polite than you Glad to be able to help!
|
|
Rachel
Archachatina puylaerti
They see me snailin'
Posts: 1,183
|
Post by Rachel on Feb 6, 2009 18:23:45 GMT
if you want cheap thermometers most wilko's have 99p small ones in the fish section. they do work well and come with a little sucker that goes around the tube. as for hygrometers as Dusk said the exo terra ones are pretty inexpensive. and posties that know you? tell me about it, my postie actually says "no snails today then?" and comments on the live snails stickers on my parcels. he def thinks i'm mental, lol
|
|
|
Post by margiebargie on Feb 7, 2009 10:14:33 GMT
Thanks for that! Will pop out and get a couple today, although there's no rush as the heat mats haven't even turned up in the post yet (because of the weather, I presume). Got a couple of Asian land snails coming next week, they've been delayed because of the snow as well! Postie will have another laugh when they arrive!! x
|
|
|
Post by snailcrazy on Feb 7, 2009 10:34:33 GMT
This may sound totally crazy but I have several layers of bubble wrap around my tank at the moment to keep the heat in. Doesn't lok very pretty but the snails like it.
I used to get my snails delivered to school where i work, they all thought I was barking mad and the post man though I had a pet shop, but at least he was trained and new not to bash the boxes about.
|
|
Rachel
Archachatina puylaerti
They see me snailin'
Posts: 1,183
|
Post by Rachel on Feb 7, 2009 12:00:20 GMT
bubble wraps a good idea, i'm still trying to get some poly-whatchyacallit sheets off my dad, but still no sign.
|
|
|
Post by snailcrazy on Feb 7, 2009 13:03:54 GMT
Focus DIY sell poly sheets but they are in packs of 20. I also use those silver reflective sheets for car windscreens. They reflect the heat back into the tank. My hubby thinks I'm mad but anything goes in our house. I have my tank sat on poly sheets to stop the heat escaping from the bottom of the tank. I put the bubble wrap around a couple of days ago and the temp has gone up a couple of degrees. ;D
|
|
Rachel
Archachatina puylaerti
They see me snailin'
Posts: 1,183
|
Post by Rachel on Feb 7, 2009 13:10:49 GMT
alas, i have no focus near me, i'll try homebase tomorrow though, any idea roughly how much?
|
|
|
Post by snailcrazy on Feb 7, 2009 16:27:16 GMT
Can't remember think I paid about around £7 for a packof 20 which is expensive when you only want a couple. Homebase might sell them individually.
|
|
Rachel
Archachatina puylaerti
They see me snailin'
Posts: 1,183
|
Post by Rachel on Feb 7, 2009 16:37:36 GMT
okaydoke, i'll check it out, thanks
|
|