Green growth on a mystery snail! Algae?

[pzuzu]

I just noticed one of my black mystery snails has a green growth on its shell. Is this algae growing on him? Or is fungus? Should I take him out and scrape it off? I don't have an algae problem at all. Any ideas?

Thanks!
Fernando

[mvigor]

The shell is probably the only place in the whole aquarium that the snail can't eat the algea as fast as it grows.

[congealedmeat]

yeah, mvigor is probably right it's just algae. My mystery snail's shell is covered and he can't get it all, so my cherry shrimp will hop on the back and cruise around the tank for awhile and get a meal at the same time. It looks awesome to see my shrimp surfing around!

[wataugachicken]

if the look of it bothers you, then you can gently try to scrub some of it off, maybe with a paper towel or sponge. otherwise, it won't hurt the snail in any way.