What’s on my snail?

[fishlover913]

Trying to figure out what’s on my snail and no one local seems to know. At first I thought part of its shell was coming off because it has the exact texture of the shell and molds perfectly. But then I noticed it was opening and closing kind of like a clam. If something shades it or goes near it, it snaps closed. After a couple minutes it opens back up. I researched barnacles but can’t find any that are like this.

 

[mues]

My best guess would be a Chiton

 

[Dom]

I would isolate that snail until you get positive id and determine friend or foe.

 

[Buckster]

Does appear to be a chiton which should cause no harm to your tank. They graze on algae

 

[fishlover913]

I would isolate that snail until you get positive id and determine friend or foe.

Thank you! We just put him in the quarantine tank!

 

[fishlover913]

Does appear to be a chiton which should cause no harm to your tank. They graze on algae

Should we worry about removing it from the snail or will the snail be okay? We tried once but the second it closed it was near impossible to get off. It’s been hosting on the sail for a little while.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

It's not a chiton. It's some sort of bivalve and a harmless filter feeder. Cool little critter

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

+1 for a bivalve of some kind.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

For reference, chiton always have a distinct shell pattern

And their underside is like a snail.

 

[fishlover913]

It's not a chiton. It's some sort of bivalve and a harmless filter feeder. Cool little critter

Thank you! I did look up chitons a little this afternoon and was thinking it didn’t look quite the same!!

 

[fishlover913]

+1 for a bivalve of some kind.

Thank you!