For aquarium owners, seeing a snail nestled deep inside its shell can be quite concerning. These tiny animals usually move slowly around the tank or cling to the glass. They are lively and playful. However, it begs the question of why a snail that appears to be stuck in its shell doesn’t emerge. Is it dozing off, hiding, or is there an issue with the tank?
Changes in their surroundings can affect snails. They may retreat into their shells in response to an abrupt change in the water’s temperature, quality, or even the presence of new fish or vegetation. They take this action as a natural defensive mechanism to shield themselves from stressors or perceived threats. If your snail retreats into its shell and remains there for a long time, there may be a problem in the aquarium.
To protect the health and welfare of your snail, it’s critical to comprehend the causes of this behavior. Sometimes, it might just be a matter of acclimating to new surroundings, but other times, it might indicate a more serious problem, such as dirty water or inadequate nutrition. You can help your snail feel safe and comfortable again by keeping a close eye on the conditions in the aquarium and making any necessary adjustments.
This post will discuss the reasons behind snails’ shell retreat, potential stressors, and strategies for encouraging them to emerge from their shells and flourish in your aquarium. You can maintain the happiness and health of your aquatic friends with a little knowledge and attention.
Caring for a turn – what is it
“Care for a coil” is a free interpretation of the definition of the state of the snail. In this case, the mollusk moves the mantle away from the mouth of the shell and hides quite deeply in it. This state of the snail can be compared to a comatose state. It is greatly weakened and is between life and death. If the snail has gone deep into the shell, and at the same time exposed the columella and growth, we can say that it has “gone behind the turn”. The snail cannot constantly be behind the turn without food and water. Its stay in conditions of stressful sleep will soon end in death. But how to understand that the snail has gone into a curl? After all, it could be ordinary hibernation. If the mollusk goes deeper into the shell (its body can go beyond the next turn and it will not be visible at all), there is cause for concern. In this condition, the snail"s leg can often be located outside, and the mantle is behind it.
Reasons for care of the turn
- infection caused by improper conditions of maintenance. For example, high humidity and temperature in combination with lack of ventilation;
- unfavorable conditions. Too low or high temperature in the terrarium, lack of moisture or its excess;
- stress due to short-term hypothermia or overheating. When the temperature differs sharply from +24C – +28C, necessary for the snail. This happens if the room was ventilated, or the mollusk was left in the sun;
- old age. An older snail often curls up – this may be normal if it continues to feed periodically;
- long-term exposure to an unfavorable environment (unsanitary conditions in the terrarium, rotten food and the presence of helminths);
- change of residence, accompanied by vibration and shaking. For example, sending a mollusk in a regular mailbox;
- exhaustion caused by hibernation, diseases, burns of various etiologies.
A snail may also retreat into its shell if it is merely afraid of a new owner or of a sudden and drastic change in its surroundings. When discussing mollusks collected from the streets, this is a particularly frequent occurrence.
It’s best to leave a naturally curling snail alone, so don’t worry too much about it. It will eventually adjust to the new circumstances and start acting in a natural way.
A snail that curls up inside its shell may be indicating that it is stressed, ill, or that the aquarium’s water quality isn’t ideal. It’s essential to comprehend the reasons behind snails’ behavior if you want to keep your tank environment healthy. This behavior might be a sign of inadequate nutrition, inappropriate water quality, or even dangerous chemicals. Aquarium owners can ensure the health and well-being of their snails and other aquatic creatures by determining the cause and taking the appropriate action to improve the environment.
What to do in different situations
Finding your pet’s diagnosis as soon as possible is the first step in helping it recover. You will require a doctor’s assistance in cases that are extremely severe, as they will prescribe a specific therapy.
The snail should be removed right away if the cause of its curling up is apparent.
It is possible to remedy the overly wet soil in the terrarium by replacing part of the soil. The substrate cannot be entirely replaced, as this could put the mollusk under additional stress.
The epiphragm, a valve at the shell’s opening, is made of mucus that has solidified. However, too-wet soil will never solidify because of evaporation. The mollusk is under stress because it is unable to hibernate normally in this scenario. Consequently, the snail burrows deeply into its shell and becomes vulnerable.
Initially, you should return the snail’s habitat to its familiar surroundings. It’s also essential to give your pet a daily bath in a tiny container filled with water that’s between +35 and +37 degrees Celsius. This will encourage the body’s metabolic processes and hasten its recuperation.
Mollusks with infections brought on by poor maintenance circumstances are treated with the antibiotic metronidazole. Naturally, a doctor should prescribe the medication and determine the dosage, mode of administration, etc.; otherwise, self-medication can have disastrous results.
The first step in treating a frozen mollusk during transit is to thaw it in warm water. The mollusk cannot, of course, be submerged completely in water since it needs to be able to breathe.
After a month, if the snail’s growth is slow and it frequently hides inside its shell, you will need to seek the assistance of a specialist who will recommend a specific therapy for it.
| Reason | Solution |
| Temperature is too low | Gradually raise the water temperature to an optimal level for snails (around 22-28°C) |
| Water quality is poor | Check water parameters and perform a partial water change to improve water quality |
| Lack of food | Ensure snails have enough food like algae, vegetables, or sinking pellets |
| Stress or illness | Observe for signs of disease and provide a calm environment; consider quarantine if needed |
It may be cause for concern if your aquarium snail has become completely enclosed in its shell. This behavior frequently indicates a problem with the snail’s health, the food supply, or the water quality. By examining these elements and making the required corrections, you can restore your snail’s comfort and activity level.
Verify that the temperature, pH, and ammonia levels in the water are within the optimal range for the species of snails that inhabit it. For their health, the water must be of the right quality. Stress can be avoided and natural behavior can be promoted with routine water changes and environmental upkeep.
Food is also very important. Make sure your snail has enough food, such as algae, plant material, and any necessary supplements. In order to keep their shells robust and healthy, some snails might also gain from supplementing their diet with calcium.
You can learn a lot about your snail’s health by observing its behavior. If it stays dormant or concealed for an extended period of time, think about seeking advice from a veterinarian or aquarium specialist who specializes in aquatic animals. By acting now, you can keep your aquarium healthy and avoid more serious problems.
