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Post by girlnumbertwo on Jul 19, 2010 22:49:01 GMT
Hi all, I'm extremely worried about my A. Fulica and need suggestions on what to do.
She's been eating and moving about as normal up until about 4 hours ago when she stopped and retracted in the middle of her tank. Her foot and head is still sticking out but her body has retracted deeply into her shell. Normally I wouldn't be worried about this, but two days ago her tank mate, an albino A. Reticulata died after exhibiting deep retraction.
She won't rouse herself despite placing her in lukewarm water or poking her slightly and this is doubly worrying. She will move slightly if prodded but her eyes stay retracted and she doesn't move any further. She is not totally retracted, just her body. I've tried rubbing honeywater over her mouth and have placed her on some apple in a warm and humid tank.
Does anyone have any idea what might be wrong, and any suggestions as to what to do?
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Post by girlnumbertwo on Jul 19, 2010 23:51:09 GMT
-Update in case anyone else has this problem in the future- Put her on a damp tissue with a drops of honeywater in a warm and moist tank. She's pushed her head out a little further and is resting it on a slice of apple, but is still not moving or pushing her eyestalks out. Dropping honeywater on her head to keep her moist every half hour or so, will update in the morning to let you know how she's doing. Any suggestions are still wanted  |
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Post by Paul on Jul 20, 2010 2:55:43 GMT
I don't know what to suggest, I've tried everything and documented it on the deep retraction page: www.petsnails.co.uk/problems/retracted.html#startAlso, have a read of the mantle collapse page, the way you describe her body sounds possibly like what I've witnessed - where the snail can't fully retract. www.petsnails.co.uk/problems/mantle_collapse.html#startI have a new theory about the deep retraction problem, I think it is some sort of bacterial infection, like a cold. I believe the way to prevent it may be ventilation and spells of drier conditions. I try to vary my conditions - sometimes I dampen the tank more than normal for a few days, then I tend to let it go drier than normal. I think this dryness helps kill off some bacteria. I also have a wooden framed lid, with chiffon stretched over it. This allows good ventilation with the added bonus of keeping even the smallest flies out. I need only cover it when I want higher humidity. I also keep live plants, worms and woodlice in the tank to keep things fresh. I know it doesn't solve your current problem but I think it is food for thought. |
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Post by girlnumbertwo on Jul 20, 2010 15:42:53 GMT
I had a look at the collapsed mantle page and although her head and foot were sticking out and she was finding it hard to retract, I think it was more likely that the deep retraction was the problem as her inner body did not look torn or damaged. I found her this morning deep in her shell, it appears she had died over the night.
She did appear to be making a recovery before I went to bed, with her bottom tentacles poking out, however it was obviously not to be.
I definitely agree with your theory about it possibly being some sort of infection as both snails in that tank died within two days of each other and showed the same symptoms.
Thanks for the information about how to prevent the same occurring in the future, the tank they were in had only a plastic cover with a few holes in it. I'll definitely try investing in some fine mesh or chiffon as you say, and start alternating the tank conditions slightly.
Thanks again and wish me better luck!
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Post by lee2211 on Aug 11, 2010 19:31:17 GMT
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