Algae on the snail shells?

[Waltmark]

Have a couple of mystery snails. I've battled a couple of Algae outbreaks in the tank from time to time but the snail's shells just never seem to get rid of it.

Do you clean them? leave it on them? Is it a sign of bad health for their shells to be dirty? Is this cause for concern or just natural?

 

[OliviaBolivia]

'Ello. I'd say it was perfectly normal and not unhealthy for them to have a bit of algae on their shells......my corys used to bowl my snails over to clean their shells for them. It won't hurt, but I suppose you could fish them out and give them a wipe if you find it unsightly....?

 

[Ashes2ashes]

The algea doesn't hurt them, it's just an aesthetic thing, but I do take a soft bristled tooth brush and gently give my a scrub if they have algea on them. I have never had them get algea in my tanks, but I have bought a few that had algea already and I just gave them a gentle scrub and it came right off. You want to be careful not to damage their shells though. Good luck.