What is this on snail shell?

[GaryE]

Just noticed that one of my turbo snails shells is covered with these, baby snails???

 

[ScottR]

Spirorbid worms

 

[Sosuke]

Spirorbid worms

+1

 

[ScottR]

They’re ok and don’t bother anything. Just anesthetically unsightly. Pretty hard to get rid of. I don’t mind them to be honest. They’ll end up over your glass and maybe your rocks.

 

[Sosuke]

These worms hitchhiked on my live rock and just spread over the back but like ScottR said they're not a threat

 

[GaryE]

I just found it odd that they'd be covering this one snail... I do have them on my rockwork at back glass also.. Not quite as concentrated though.

I find that I'm more fascinated by the micro life in my tank than I am the fish.

 

[ScottR]

I just found it odd that they'd be covering this one snail... I do have them on my rockwork at back glass also.. Not quite as concentrated though.

I find that I'm more fascinated by the micro life in my tank than I am the fish.

In the ocean, every creature is fighting for space and survival. This behavior finds its way into our tanks, hence the name - hitchhikers. The best clean up crews are usually the free ones.