ID please

[Idech]

I’ve never seen this before in my tank. It’s not an empty snail shell, it is flat and has the thickness of a nail. I wonder what it is ?

 

[TnFishwater98]

I don’t know the name but it comes off the tail of snails as they grow. That piece I believe protects them when they retract into their shell. Seals them inside if that makes sense…

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I don’t know the name but it comes off the tail of snails as they grow. That piece I believe protects them when they retract into their shell. Seals them inside if that makes sense…

Yeah, it looks like a snail's operculum.

 

[TnFishwater98]

They look really cool. I used to collect them and pile them in 1 spot

 

[Idech]

I don’t know the name but it comes off the tail of snails as they grow. That piece I believe protects them when they retract into their shell. Seals them inside if that makes sense…

Yeah, it looks like a snail's operculum.

I learn something every day ! Is this useful to any tank inhabitant or should I just discard it ?

 

[TnFishwater98]

I learn something every day ! Is this useful to any tank inhabitant or should I just discard it ?

Leave it be…

 

[vetteguy53081]

Its an operculum also referred to as trap door

 

[IKD]

I learn something every day ! Is this useful to any tank inhabitant or should I just discard it ?

No use to any inhabitants that I’m aware of