GROWTH on snail shells

[elChino]

Ever since getting a cleanup kit of snails and hermits crabs and such, I've noticed that every so often the snails would get a lump on their shell. Same color as their shell, same texture, looked just like the shell but looked like a half sphere lump attached to their shell. I've seen a couple of them when they've come off and it looks like there is soft tissue inside it. There is no damage or holes in the snails shell, but you can see where it has been since the spot where the lump was is much more clear of algae and stuff.

Any ideas what this is? Has anyone else experienced this? They are turbo snails.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/92915snail_shell.jpg

[romunov]

Well, the image is a bit blurry to tell.. Can you use a stand or something to snap a picture? IMO, that would help a bit...

[AriZonaD54]

Just looks like calcerious algae better known as coralline. My snails have it too. Comes in all sorts of purty colors! Pink, Purple.. etc :) Happy reefing

[elChino]

But this thing comes off. It's not just the coralline algae on it. I've seen one of these things after it's fallen off, it's hollow underneath.

[elChino]

Here is a better picture.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/92915snail_shell2.jpg

[z_rivers]

just a calcium growth on the shell. a few of mine have them and do not seem to be affected in any way. HTH