DIY Calcium Enriched Invert Food - a.k.a Snailo

Disclaimer: This is not my invention as I discovered it on another forum. Just to make sure to give credit where credit is due.

This is a homemade calcium enriched food to feed your snails and shrimp. Oh..and fish will eat it too! :o)

Ingredients:
4 oz. jar baby food - look for the ones that have the high calcium content such as squash. Should be around 4%
1 packet unflavored knox gellatin
1 tsp JurassiCal Calcium Suppliment. (regular calcium pills can be substituted. Grind them up to a fine powder)
1 tbsp Flaked Fish Food (Optional but good to use. You can add a few varieties if you want but don't over do it. Add no more than 2 tbsp if you do this.)

Directions:

- Empty baby food into a small microwave safe bowl.
- Microwave on HIGH for 60 seconds ** CAUTION ** Contents will be very hot. Handle with care.
- Slowly stir in one packet of the Knox unflavored gelatin. Slowly adding it helps to prevent clumps in the gelatin and air pockets. Stir until all gelatin is dissolved.
- Slowly stir in calcium powder until dissolved
- Fold in Fish Flakes (Try to ensure that there are no air bubbles. This will cause it to float)
- Pour contents out onto a flat surface. You can use a saucer, wax paper, etc.
- Place in refridgerator until food has gelled. Texture should be rubbery after a few hours.
- Cut into squares and store in a container with a lid in the fridge.

Should last a couple of weeks.

To feed, just drop a few squares in the tank at various places. Depending on how many critters you have. Remove and replace if you notice it turning fuzzy (if there is any left of it). It usually doesn't last very long (in my tanks at least).

Thanks for posting. Just got a bunch of mystery snails and need to give this recipe a try.

ditto!

How helpful is it to feed snails high calcium food?

Very. Calcium is essential in shell development and maintenance for snails. It is also essential for shrimp to aid in molting.

you know, i have always noticed that snails from ponds have really thin shells... maybe they don't get enough calcium the way store bought snails do

yep they have very limited calcium sources in small ponds....

I like snails, but can't ever seem to keep them. cichlids always eat and peck at them and they are fairly sensitive to everything. maybe if I had a tank of guppies I could have an uncontrollable outbreak like I always hear about