The significance of calcium for shrimp, crayfish, crabs, and particularly snails is a well known reality. Due to this fact, in the present day I’ll speak about calcium dietary supplements for shrimp and snail tanks. It’s broadly understood that they require calcium in uncommon portions throughout sure phases of their life.
The reason being that one of many principal parts of the shrimp shell is calcium carbonate (from 30 to 50 %). In snails, it’s much more essential, about 95-98% of snails shell’s dry weight is calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as effectively.
As we will see, shrimp, crayfish, crabs, and snails depend upon calcium. Truly, calcium is so important for them that, in line with totally different research, they will sense calcium focus of their surroundings and like to stay in a high-calcium surroundings.
Significance of Calcium for Shrimp, Crayfish, and Crabs
Shrimp, crayfish, and crabs have exterior skeletons (exoskeletons or shells) that restrict the extent of their development. The one method for them to develop is to molt. The method of shedding their previous shell is named molting.
On account of the truth that shrimp molt fairly usually (from each few days for child shrimp to as soon as monthly for grownup shrimp), they require quite a lot of minerals to reconstruct new exoskeletons. Due to this fact, our job is to offer all the required minerals for them to make and reinforce their shells.
In certainly one of my articles (Aquarium: Molting Course of and Metabolism of the Dwarf Shrimp), I referred to the research about shrimp exoskeleton principal parts. In accordance with the researches, about 30-50% of shrimp shells is calcium carbonate. That may be a lot!
Word: Like fish, shrimp can take up calcium from the water and the weight-reduction plan. If there may be sufficient calcium within the water, they may receive the vast majority of their calcium via their gills. On the similar time, calcium within the weight-reduction plan will cowl the deficiency of minerals within the water. Ideally, these two sources of calcium ought to be in your tank on a regular basis.
One other vital factor that many shrimp keepers neglect (or have no idea) is that you just additionally want to offer your shrimp with Magnesium. The purpose is that Magnesium retains the calcium in a dissolved state and helps calcium absorption. That’s the reason there have to be a steadiness between Calcium and Magnesium (ratio 3:1).
You possibly can learn extra about “Dwarf shrimp and Molting problems. The White Ring of Death” proper right here.
Significance of Calcium for Snails
As a result of snails are soft-bodied animals, lots of them have invented a fancy technique for sustaining their gentle tissues, for safeguarding themselves towards predation, and assist for inside organs. This technique depends on the elaboration of an exterior calcified inflexible construction, the shell.
In snails, the demand for calcium is even larger than for shrimp. Their exterior shell is sort of fully product of calcium carbonate (about 95-98%, the remaining 2% mass are compounds of Fe, Mg, Mn, Al, Na, Okay). Largely as a result of snails’ shells can have a number of calcified layers (usually two to 5).
You can even learn my article “Snails and Shell Problems. Causes and How to Fix”.
Calcium Dietary supplements for Shrimp and Snail Tanks
If you do not need your shrimp to have molting issues. Should you see that your snails are beginning to get eroded shells, cracks, holes, or lose their shade (flip whitish). The most certainly trigger will not be sufficient calcium within the water. As I’ve simply stated, we have to present our shrimp and snails with two sources of calcium:
Water Mineralization. What’s Mineralization?
In shrimp maintaining passion we regularly use phrases and expressions “Water Mineralization” or “Remineralizing RO water” to create splendid water parameters for maintaining and breeding shrimp. Particularly, once we put together water for the water change. You possibly can learn extra about it in my article “How to Do and How Often to Do Water Change in Shrimp Aquarium”. However what’s mineralization?
Truly, mineralization is a strategy of mineral deposition into gentle tissues, which kind a protecting shell for snails (exoskeleton – for shrimp). The shell is shaped by calcium carbonate and different hint minerals discovered within the tank. Calcium carbonate is the main part of varied minerals.
Principally, we enrich the water with important minerals, in order that our pets might use them. Aquarists merely name this course of – mineralization.
In shrimp, throughout the pre-molt stage, among the calcium carbonate within the cuticle is partially dissolved and saved contained in the physique briefly for reuse within the newly shaped cuticle after molting. Within the case of crayfish, the calcium carbonate is saved within the abdomen as a pair of stones.
Snails have a restricted means to retailer calcium carbonate. Due to this fact, they need to eat calcium every day. On the similar time, the calcium content material of their regular meals is often inadequate for shell formation. As well as, acquiring adequate calcium is time-consuming even in calcium-rich environments.
Re-mineralizers for Shrimp and Snails – “calcium for snails”
There are numerous choices available on the market these days (For instance, Aqua Blue Wizard, Shirakura Liquid Minerals, Shrimp King Shrimp Minerals, Brightwell Aquatics, Shrimplab Minerals, GlasGarten). They’re all good re-mineralizers and plenty of shrimp keepers use them with none issues.
Nonetheless, I’ve at all times really helpful Salty Shrimp merchandise. Salty Shrimp Minerals (GH/KH+ and GH+ (hyperlinks to examine the value on Amazon) are the best re-mineralizers for the shrimp for my part. We solely use them when using reverse osmosis (RO) water or distilled water in our tanks.
These re-mineralizers are already balanced with calcium, magnesium, and different hint components. Due to this fact, we shouldn’t have to fret about any ratio.
You possibly can learn extra about Salty Shrimp Minerals (GH/KH+ and GH+) right here.
Extra Mineral Sources of Calcium
OK, however what else can we use as calcium dietary supplements for shrimp and snail tanks? Right here is the listing of the preferred selections of shrimp and snail keepers.
Rooster Eggshells Powder
Rooster eggshells encompass calcium carbonate (~98.2%), and a hint quantity of different microelements, i.e. magnesium, boron, iron, manganese, molybdenum, sulphur, silicon, and zinc. (Shell membranes includes of 69.2% protein, 2.7% fats, 1.5% moisture, and so on).
1. To make eggshell powder, boil eggshells in scorching water for five – 10 min to kill any dangerous micro organism.
Word I do know that some aquarists drop untreated eggshells into their tanks. Don’t try this! It could possibly wipe out your shrimp colony.
Tip: It simpler to take away the membrane in the event you boil them longer.
2. Allow them to cool off and dry.
3. Roast them in an oven or microwave for five – 10 min to fully dry out and change into crispy.
Word: Roasting will take away (burn out) the membrane.
4. If you don’t do step #3 – peel the membrane away from the within of the shells. It could possibly take some time. We take away the membrane so it doesn’t foul the water. Additionally, the powder might be cleaner with out it.
5. Put the eggshells right into a espresso grinder and run till they’re pulverized into powder (mud).
6. Add among the eggshells to your shrimp and/or snail tank. That’s it. Your little associates will thanks.
Word: At first the powder might float. Don’t worry, it’ll sink fairly quick.
Cuttlefish Bones
That is one other low cost and widespread product. Yow will discover it in pet shops (within the chook part). Cuttlefish bones are extremely porous, and, mainly, simply pure calcium. They’re additionally very gentle, so simply lower off a small piece (1 inch is nice for a begin) and put it in your tank.
The benefit of cuttlefish bones is that they slowly dissolve within the water and launch a ton of calcium which shrimp and snails can use as wanted.
Tip: If it floats, tie it right down to a pebble and sink it to the underside (or you possibly can boil it).
Word: Cuttlebone bones dissolve very slowly. Due to this fact, it won’t alter your water parameters quick. It additionally implies that you’ll not get overdosing. A minimum of, it gives you time to react. Don’t place them in filters.
Generally it may produce an especially disagreeable odor due to remaining natural matter in it.
Necessary: There are 2 varieties of cuttlebones. One in every of them comprises Calcium Carbonate. One other one is basically Calcium Sulfate. We want Calcium Carbonate one!
Cuttlefish bones – hyperlink to examine the value on Amazon.
Tums (Antacid tablets)
Some snail keepers declare that they’ve nice luck with the snails consuming Tums, however by no means had success with the cuttlebones. Others declare the alternative. Anyway, these Tums are principally calcium carbonate and a tremendous supply of calcium for snails and shrimp. The one downside is that you must watch out about how a lot you add.
To start with, they dissolve very quick. Due to this fact, they will have an effect on the water parameters. To stop any danger, add ¼ of the bathtub to see the shrimp (snail) response. Second, tums will shade the water a little bit bit for a while. They don’t have another unintended effects.
Word: In accordance with totally different observations, shrimp and snails choose consuming the fruit-flavored ones.
Tums (Antacid tablets) – hyperlink to examine the value on Amazon.
Mineral (Calcium) Blocks
Calcium blocks include a correct quantity of calcium and magnesium. Due to this fact, they may profit the well being of all shrimp and snails. In comparison with cuttlefish bones, calcium blocks dissolve sooner and have an effect on GH faster. They often don’t cloud the water.
Dosage: 4g per 50 liters (10-gallons) to cut back any change in water parameters.
Word: It’s endorsed that any block remaining after 14 days ought to be eliminated and a brand new one added.
Word #2: Though producers suggest them as a daily addition to the tanks for final long-term well being advantages. Mineral blocks are extra of a luxurious than a necessity.
Hermit Crab Mineral Blocks – hyperlink to examine the value on Amazon.
Crushed Coral and Crushed Oyster Shells
I do know that some shrimp breeders use crushed coral or oyster shells. On the one hand, coral and shells have a really excessive focus of calcium (carbonate). Then again, as a result of excessive quantity of salt, it may be harmful to your shrimp and snails. That’s the reason the principle downside with utilizing crushed coral you can’t actually management the method. Due to this fact, it’s a must to be extraordinarily cautious to not add an excessive amount of.
Word: Personally, I might not use them in any respect in any shrimp or snails tank.
Surprise Shell
Surprise shells are secure with shrimp and snail. Truly, they may like it from the second you place within the tank. These shells will elevate the water hardness however they may do it slowly. It could possibly take one shell 2 – 4 weeks to dissolve.
Tip: If that is their first publicity, begin from the small marvel shell.
Word: Surprise shells take pleasure in clarifying water. As well as, it’s a lot simpler and cheaper than messing with crushed coral.
Dosage suggestion: 1 shell monthly for five to 10 gallon (20 – 45 liters) tanks.
Surprise shell – hyperlink to examine the value on Amazon.
Meals Dietary supplements. Calcium.
Though, cuttlebones, marvel shells, mineral blocks, and so on. will vastly profit your shrimp and snail. Sadly, it’s nonetheless not sufficient in some circumstances. You’ll want to use complementary feed for invertebrates (shrimp, snails, crayfish/crabs).
Mineral Junkie Pearls
Mineral Junkie Pearls are a wonderful complement meals for all invertebrates. Every pearl comprises pure minerals in addition to inorganically mixed minerals to forestall mineral deficiencies, which trigger holes in snail shells, failed molts in shrimp, sluggish development and a excessive mortality charge particularly amongst the juveniles.
Together with minerals additionally they include vegetable extracts and herbs to offer extra dietary content material.
Snails additionally develop higher when they’re equipped with an ample quantity of minerals, and their shells are usually smoother and stronger.
Feeding suggestion:
Mineral Junkie Pearls – hyperlink to examine the value on Amazon.
Shrimp King Mineral
Shrimp King Mineral comprises additional minerals. The confirmed clay mineral montmorillonite, pure calcium-carbonate, and worthwhile coralline crimson algae present all shrimps with loads of calcium and different minerals in addition to important hint components. Specifically, the pure calcium from coralline crimson algae displays excessive bioavailability and may be utilized significantly readily by the shrimps.
Not like crayfish, shrimps should frequently ingest minerals, as they don’t have gastroliths (abdomen stones) with the intention to retailer them. Shrimp King Mineral helps easy molting and the event of a robust new shell.
Tip: Shrimp King Mineral can also be a sensible choice for feeding crayfish, dwarf crayfish (CPOs), crabs, and snails.
Shrimp King Mineral – hyperlink to examine the value on Amazon.
Hikari Crab Delicacies
That is one other excessive in enriched calcium meals, which promote shell growth and general good well being of our snails, crabs, crayfish, and shrimp. Due to the minerals, Hikari Crab Delicacies comprises, they may all like it.
Word: This product will even improve the colour of the shrimp. One of many principal parts of Hikari Crab Delicacies is astaxanthin. You possibly can study extra about it in my article “How to Enhance Shrimp Color?”
Hikari Crab Delicacies – hyperlink to examine the value on Amazon.
Mini Veggie Sticks with Calcium
Wonderful mixture of substances and a excessive stage of calcium will make your shrimp hunt for them, as soon as they odor them. Snails love them as effectively.
Comprises a 20% calcium stage and 35.0% of crude protein. Probiotics! Substances: combination of vegetation and greens together with: seaweed, spirulina, carrots, squash, spinach. Vegetable oils, soy meal, yeast, wheat flour, calcium, vitamin & mineral complement.
Word: Though they’re fairly laborious sticks, sink rapidly, and don’t float everywhere in the tank. They break down inside a couple of minutes. It might be higher to make use of feeding dishes. You possibly can learn extra about “Everything about Feeding Dishes for Shrimp” proper right here.
Mini Veggie Sticks with Calcium – hyperlink to examine the value on Amazon.
Greens
I wish to say that re-mineralizers and business meals shouldn’t be the one method to offer calcium. Greens wealthy in calcium have to be part of the shrimp and snail weight-reduction plan for good shell well being or molting. Don’t underestimate the usefulness of pure sources of meals.
There is no such thing as a must listing all greens by mg of Calcium. I’ll simply level out the preferred ones.
I might suggest blanching them first. You possibly can examine it in my article “How to Blanch Сucumbers and Zucchini for Shrimp, Snails and Fish the Right Way”.
In Conclusion
Calcium performs a significant function within the general growth of the shell, optimum development and survival of the shrimp, crayfish, crab, and snails.
Relying on the tank arrange, we will use alternative ways of offering calcium for the shrimp and snail tanks. For instance, in case you are utilizing RO water within the tank. I might not use any further mineral sources apart from remineralizes, particular, and pure meals sources. If you’re utilizing Faucet water within the tank, I might use solely further mineral sources (Cuttlebone bones, Surprise shells, Tams, and so on.), particular and pure meals sources.
In any case, don’t forget to check your water parameters (PH, KH, GH, TDS learn my articles about them) a minimum of each week. Should you discover that they’re constantly too excessive or rising, take away further mineral sources.