apple snail has damaged operculum (door)

K

korin123456789

AC Members
Dec 7, 2007
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Montreal, Qc
hi well i knowdiced my smallest of 3 apples snails has a hole on operculum (door), seems perfectly round and you can see the flesh comming out of the hole a bit. I don'T know how long it's been there since this snail dosen't move much and spends a lot of time hiding or sleeping, but i have seen her walking around since she has the hole, will this heal on it's own does anyone know what could of cause it
i'm trying to get a pic but she's very shy lol
in my 10gl tank i have 3 apple snail, cherry shrimp and a plecto, i don't think none of them would be able to do this damadge
i do have a few planaria i have been trying to get rid of could they be the culprits
help i don't want her to die, any info would be apreciated
 
i haven't ever dealt with a hole, just irregular shaped operculum. It is eating? I would probably just try and keep the water as pristine as possible. I really am not certain, perhaps flaringshutter has some experience with this one.
 
so i keep thinking about this, and searched on apple snail (saw your post there as well). I *think* it should seal up from the inside out as long as the snail is getting adequate calcium. It might be worth isolating it so it doesn't have to compete for its food nor move as far to get it. I am interested to see what other snaily folk have to say, please keep this thread updated!
 
i would isolate the snail and feed a nice health calcium diet. it should heal by its self over time.
 
*sneaks in*

I was inspired to read up on Apple snails http://www.applesnail.net/content/various/snail_disease.php I thought this was a good link.

From the link :

"Operculum detoriation: holes, loss of operculum
While the shell mainly consist of calcium, the operculum is build out of proteins, although the species from the genus Pila also have calcium deposits at the body side of the operculum. The operculum is much less vulnerable to detoriations, but if a snail is not well fed, it can occur, however, that the operculum is thin and even get's holes in it. In such case, there is not much that can be done besides taking good care of the snail. Also keep in mind that the operculum is not essential for an apple snail to survive in a common aquarium with no snail eating fish around. Beside the shape and the smoothness of the operculum, the attachement of the operculum to the back of the foot is a good indication of the well being (or not) of the snail. In normal situations the snail's tissues completely cover the inside/body side of the operculum. If the snail is not in optimal condition, this tissue is retracted and only the center of the opreculum is covered by snail tissue. In such cases one needs to check the water quality and make sure everything is allright. Old snails can show such tissue retraction as well, while it's not necessairly a real problem with them. After all, one can compare this with the retraction of gums/tissues around humans teeth if not taken weel care of.Occasionally, it does happen that the whole operculum is lost. This is not a life treatening for the snail itself, but it often indicates a real serious health problem in the snail, so be sure to check the water quality and be sure the snail isn't dead."

*sneaks out again*
 
Just watch her carefully and be sure the pleco isn't trying to snack on her. Often plecos can cause snail health problems because they try to suck on the snail's foot to get at the protein-rich slime. Without an operculum to cover her foot when she pulls back inside her shell, she'll be vulnerable. You may want to move one of the two to a different tank. Plecos are troublemakers when kept with snails, IMO.
 
Thanks all
will keep you up to date
 
I am of the opinion that the pleco will eventually kill all of your apple snails. I haven't had any luck housing plecos and snails together. Perhaps you could find a new home for your pleco. He/she is probably trying to eat the snails at night.

Good Luck
 
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