New member, quick question… what the heck is this?

[CalGirl]

Just noticed this last night. The small, hairlike structures coming from a small hole in back of shell. These are seemingly living, as they do in fact react to surroundings. (Retract when another snail came into contact with them). I also discovered what I believe to be juvenile snails on tank glass. Connected, or coincidental occurrences?

 

[Sk8r]

By the banding it might be an incredibly tiny mini brittle star. Good citizen.

 

[CalGirl]

Thank you for the quick reply! So, brittles will take up residence INSIDE of a snail shell? Because this is most def not a hitchhiker hangin out on the exterior. (Can't get short vid I have to attach)
Being stars are great for the overall health of the tank, is this in any way detrimental to the individual snail?

 

[Sk8r]

If the snail is still alive, it can't get all the way inside, but if a snail is getting attention from a brittle star, it may be on its way out from other causes. They're the tank undertakers...

Can't swear that's what it is, but it sure looks like it by the bits I can see.

 

[mcgyvr]

yep.. from the banding that would be my guess too..

 

[eder10986]

Undertakers? Are they bad? We have a couple of them roaming around that I think are cute. Should we take them out?


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[Sk8r]

The world NEEDS undertakers. So does a tank.

 

[KaZeR.UK]

I think sk8r meant that if something was already dying then that is why the brittle star took an Interest. Not that the brittle star is causing it