All snails have shells that are made up of calcium carbonate. Without enough snail calcium in their diet, shells are thin and prone to fracturing. So, what to feed mystery snails for calcium? In this post, Aquatic 247 will explore diet, especially calcium, for aquarium snails.
Why does it provide calcium for aquarium snails?
Calcium is necessary for strong bones. Although snails do not have bones, they have a sturdy outer shell (exoskeleton) made of calcium carbonate.
The snail’s outer shell contains 95% calcium carbonate. Without calcium, their shells are weaker and more fragile. This renders them prone to cracking and shattering.
The mystery snail’s calcium requirements tend to rise with age. That’s because its shell continues to grow along with the gastropod.
What to feed mystery snails for calcium?
Snails build protective shells by converting calcium into a beautiful, sturdy calcium carbonate shell. Below are two specific calcium sources for snails that you can refer to.
Natural sources
Food is an important source of calcium for them. That is, the more calcium-rich their food, the better their body will absorb the mineral.
- Leafy greens: vegetables such as lettuce, kale, cabbage, and spinach. Soybeans and zucchini are also tasty.
- Water: Although water fills some minerals, it also fills chlorine. Using a water conditioner to ensure it is safe for snails can reduce the mineral content of the water.
Supplemental sources
Besides natural sources, we can provide supplemental sources to avoid a shortage of nutrition.
- Cuttlefish bone: Squid bones are another effective source of calcium for snails. This product is available in most stores.
- Eggshells: Eggshells are exceptionally high in calcium and are widely available in most households. The main disadvantage of using eggshells is that it will require some effort to prepare them for the aquarium.
- Commercial calcium supplement: The product is available in a variety of forms, including powders and tablets. Depending on the product, you may need to add calcium to the water or the snail’s food source. These supplements are designed to provide snails with their required daily intake of vitamins and minerals.
How do you turn eggshells into calcium for mystery snails?
Here are some ways to help you easily make eggshells into calcium.
Step 1: Collecting the eggshells.
Step 2: Fill a bowl with warm water and add a few drops of dishwashing soap.
Step 3: Add eggshells to the mixture and use your hands to rub the clean eggshells.
Step 4: Rinse the eggshells under running water, making sure there are no traces of dish soap left.
Step 5: Strain the shells to get rid of the leftover water.
Step 6: Line a tray with paper towels and spread the eggshells on them.
Step 7: After the eggshells completely dry, let’s grind them until they become powder.
Step 8: Place the powder in a box to preserve it for easy use.
How often to feed mystery snails?
There is no clear guideline for how often you should feed your snails. Any frequency or technique of feeding is appropriate, as long as you stick to a consistent schedule.
Mystery snails are not discriminating eaters and will munch on nearly anything they come across in the aquarium. It could be algae, biofilm, dead vegetation, or fish remains.
To establish the appropriate amount of food to feed your mystery snail, you must do tests.
For example, the first time you feed your mystery snail, add a sheet of algae or more vegetables than you think will be sufficient. Then wait until the following day to see how much they ate overnight.
If you have leftovers, try feeding them less next time. If the food finishes eating, add a bit of additional food. Repeat the technique until you’ve determined your mystery snail’s appetite.
What not to feed a mystery snail?
Mystery snails make fabulous pets because it is easy to care for and even easier to feed. However, we also pay attention to foods that should not be fed to snails.
- Never feed a snail acidic or moldy foods
- Never give a snail unclean food. Always wash your food before feeding it to a snail, and discard any food that has been handled by another insect
- The spiky edges of eggshells can harm snails. Don’t feed your snail eggshells that aren’t powdery or pasty
- Baby snails have the same diet as adult snails, but feed them less calcium because their shells are smaller and require less food
In conclusion
In short, Aquatic 247 was the calcium for mystery snails guide, and hope you can answer the question: What to feed mystery snails for calcium? Calcium for mystery snails can be obtained naturally or as a supplement. Natural sources include leafy greens, soybeans, and zucchini. Supplemental supplies can be purchased or homemade, such as egg shells or cuttlefish bone.
