Feather duster riding a snail?

[rockingb]

I’ve got a turbo snail that has a rider. It’s a little purple volcano looking thing, with a little “feather” that comes out every now and then. Any idea what this is?

 

[Bleigh]

@ReefSquad

Is this a barnacle? I don't think it looks like a feather duster, but I may be looking at the wrong thing.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Im thinking Barnacle or vermetid snail. If barnacle, , cool. If Vermetid- needs to go Bye-Bye

 

[rockingb]

Doesn’t look like a vermatid or a barnacle. Too small, and no actual worm portion, just a little “feather” with ten or so tiny appendages that comes out to taste the water. Look at the tip of the little bump. It’s hard to see but that isn’t solid, those are the appendages

 

[Maritimer]

That's a barnacle.

Like a tiny volcano.

The animal (a crustacean) has essentially glued its head to the snail shell, and is extending feathery feet to try and kick some food into it's mouth. Barnacles start out pretty tiny - some get pretty large, while others never get much bigger than "very small".

~Bruce

 

[rockingb]

That's a barnacle.

Like a tiny volcano.

The animal (a crustacean) has essentially glued its head to the snail shell, and is extending feathery feet to try and kick some food into it's mouth. Barnacles start out pretty tiny - some get pretty large, while others never get much bigger than "very small".

~Bruce

So do I just leave him there? Will he hurt anything?

 

[Bleigh]

So do I just leave him there? Will he hurt anything?

I have never had a live barnacle. I am under the impression, that they are considered a nuisance. But I'm not 100% on that.

 

[Maritimer]

So do I just leave him there? Will he hurt anything?

Won't hurt a thing.

Barnacles are filter-feeders. The feathery extensions (their feet) spread out into the water column in hopes of ensnaring plankton. Sadly, they rarely snag enough in our tanks to keep them going. The biggest danger from barnacles is that their shells can be a bit sharp, so ... don't walk on it.

~Bruce