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Post by catriona on Aug 1, 2009 21:02:17 GMT
One of my snails broke his shell a while ago, and for ages it didn't grow back and he stopped eating. Then i put him in a tank on his own and he started eating again. His shell grew back, but the new bit was really thin and his body wasn't attached underneath the new bit. Now there is a huge crack down the middle of the new bit. He has a cuttlefish bone but i don't think he's been eating it. I was thinking of getting him liquid calcium - where could i get it? Does anyone know what else i could do? I'm not sure how to upload pictures so if anyone wants to see pictures of it i could email you.
Also i've been getting mites in the tank and i sometimes find them crawling on him. They don't seem to be harmful but i'm worried they might get inside him. Any help or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.
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lucyjames
Achatina immaculata
I iz da King...
Posts: 323
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Post by lucyjames on Aug 2, 2009 13:43:13 GMT
You can get liquid calcium from alot of online pet shops - our own Steve (www.tarantulabarn.co.uk) sells it too... Some snails just have brittle shells, I have one like this... You can also get limestone flour to sprinkle on their food... Mites, unfortunately, will get inside the shells by going through the breathing hole... the best way to get rid of them is to order some hypoaspis miles mites from Defender... Hope that helps a little
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Rachel
Archachatina puylaerti
They see me snailin'
Posts: 1,183
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Post by Rachel on Aug 2, 2009 14:29:38 GMT
i'd suggest what lucy said, limestone flour as well as cuttle, liquid calcium can be bought on ebay, and to treat the mites defenders hypoasis miles will get rid of them fairly well, and you may find someone who will split the cost with you for half the pot if you have to many (which you probally will). Mites can have a detrimental effect on growth and health in snails, or it could be genetic, both my retice have poor shell growth and others who had siblings of them have told me theirs have to.
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Post by catriona on Aug 3, 2009 18:21:14 GMT
Thanks - i'll try the hypoaspis miles. Someone else said that cuttlefish bone is too salty so i should try crushed egg shells instead. Do you know if that's right? Would crushed egg shells be as effective as liquid calcium and limestone flour?
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Rachel
Archachatina puylaerti
They see me snailin'
Posts: 1,183
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Post by Rachel on Aug 3, 2009 20:05:07 GMT
As long as its petshop bought cuttle is fine. Limestone flour tends to be favoured with snails, many won't even touch egg shells. Liquid calcium is good as it can be put in their bath water, water dish and the water used to mist their tank, so provides an extra boost. If you are unsure about limestone flour email a few horse suppliers (make sure its the direct source) that sell it and request a sample.
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Post by catriona on Aug 4, 2009 19:14:14 GMT
Ok thanks
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Post by catriona on Aug 5, 2009 21:03:56 GMT
Is it ok to use liquid calcium that's for aquariums or do you get another type?
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coyote
Archachatina papyracea
Cochleas ego amo
Posts: 2,955
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Post by coyote on Aug 5, 2009 23:11:16 GMT
I use Kent Marine Concentrated Liquid Calcium for marine aquariums.
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