Feeding and Nutrition :: Ramshorn snails as a protein source?

[thegrandpoohbah]

Would red ramshorn snails be suitable as a protein source for a 4" RES? I have a bunch of them in my planted tank. I used to feed them to my crayfish. I figure the extra calcium from the snails shell would be good for a turtle. That is of course assuming a turtle is able to eat snails without problems. The only issue I can see is sharp pieces of shell doing internal damage to the turtle. Any thoughts?

[SpotsMama]

I'm not sure what a red ramshorn snail is, but snails in general are fine for turtles to eat. There are some tiny black ones in my tank that came in by accident on a strand of anacharis and Spot snacks on them. Another person on here, Scripta Elegans, put a number of big snails in her turtles' tank and they've been having a good time eating them. You can see pictures of them in the Photo section, I think the thread is called "Jungle Tank." Snails are not only a good source of protein but the shells are good sources of calcium.

[thegrandpoohbah]

Thanks for the input. This is a ramshorn: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramshorn_snail. I think I'll toss a few in Ozzy's tank and see if he likes them.

[Blue Flamingo]

SpotsMama I was hesitant to get those little black snails, because I though they might get into my filter and muck it up. Will this happen or am I just brining paranoid??

[megcornell]

The tiny snails that come in on plants are very parasitic and can take over tanks. That's why I always wash any plants I buy.
If you bought a larger mystery snail that would be fine to feed, and I think they're easier to keep track of.

[FLhaven4strays]

I've gotten larger snails from the petstores - don't know what they're called, but they have ivory, black, & 'blue' varieties (mystery? Could be). Anyway - I got them for the pond cause they looked pretty & I wanted to show my kids snail eggs. Well, they didn't last that long. I ended up going back for more as a turtle treat. I now have a good sized pile of snail shells by the pond.

Odd though - the shells aren't damaged really...they're just empty. Not sure how the turtles do it, but mine at least don't eat the shell.

[SpotsMama]

I've heard about snails taking over a tank and making a big mess. So far though, in Spot's tank it hasn't been a problem, maybe because he likes to eat snails and I'm pretty diligent about cleaning the filter every month. Given a choice, I wouldn't have them in there, but once you get them, you've got them for life, I believe.

[kimberly183]

I am sad! I thought I could have a few mystery snails in the tank for good, but now it looks as if they will be "for good eating"!

[marisa]

If you're attached to them (some people are), you could always keep them separate.

[kimberly183]

True! Tim has taken well to the turtle tank (my husband), but can I convince him I need a snail one, too?? We'll see . . .