Snail question....

[Itsmemario]

This is probably a dumb question but I was looking closely at my snail and there's like a star shaped part coming out of the shell.
I can't tell if it's part of the snail or if it's something else living in the shell?
I tried googling pictures of snails and didn't see it on other close up of snails.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Have to admit it’s a little unusual but like you, had a quick google search for anything similar and did not come up with anything like those markings.

I thinks it's just part of the shell marking but hard to tell.

Anyhow, if snail is moving around and eating algae etc, would not worry about it. Give it a name, maybe Ringo Starr or something like that!

 

[Itsmemario]

Have to admit it’s a little unusual but like you, had a quick google search for anything similar and did not come up with anything like those markings.

I thinks it's just part of the shell marking but hard to tell.

Anyhow, if snail is moving around and eating algae etc, would not worry about it. Give it a name, maybe Ringo Starr or something like that!

But the weird thing is it moves separately! So it's not his actual shell.
He literally doesn't stop moving, eating and pooping lol. He poops more in a day than my betta does in 3 days haha

 

[HoldenOn]

I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade
He'd let us in, knows where we've been
In his octopus' garden in the shade
I'd ask my friends to come and see
An octopus' garden with me

 

[Ch4rlie]

But the weird thing is it moves separately! So it's not his actual shell.

That IS weird and kind of cool at the same time!

Intriguing!

 

[AilyNC]

It looks part of him. Like a muscle. Maybe he flexes it abd that's why it moves?

 

[Itsmemario]

Also, what's a type of calcium I can put in the tank that's not harmful to a betta?

 

[Itsmemario]

It looks part of him. Like a muscle. Maybe he flexes it abd that's why it moves?

That could be it

 

[kwi]

Not an expert but snails can get parasites.

 

[day.t]

That is weird! Definitely looks like part of his body growing out with fingers onto his shell. Alien, huh? I'm interested to know if anyone has an explanation.

 

[corylover5]

This is probably a dumb question but I was looking closely at my snail and there's like a star shaped part coming out of the shell.
I can't tell if it's part of the snail or if it's something else living in the shell?
I tried googling pictures of snails and didn't see it on other close up of snails.
View attachment 115615

I think it's normal although I don't know what it is. All of my bladder snails have the same exact thing!

 

[vanalisa]

This is probably a dumb question but I was looking closely at my snail and there's like a star shaped part coming out of the shell.
I can't tell if it's part of the snail or if it's something else living in the shell?
I tried googling pictures of snails and didn't see it on other close up of snails.
View attachment 115615

Snail leech?

 

[Itsmemario]

I think it's normal although I don't know what it is. All of my bladder snails have the same exact thing!

That makes me feel better lol. I was looking at pictures everywhere and couldn't find anything like it.

 

[Bub]

There are a fair amount of pictures online of it. It is the mantle lobe, which extends over the exterior of the shell. The mantle is the muscle that holds the body of the snail to the shell.

Some pictures of it from the internet:

 

[Itsmemario]

There are a fair amount of pictures online of it. It is the mantle lobe, which extends over the exterior of the shell. The mantle is the muscle that holds the body of the snail to the shell.

Some pictures of it from the internet:
View attachment 115626
View attachment 115627
View attachment 115628

Awesome, thanks!