Another outing

[Baccus]

So we went for another snail excursion today (the other half is still flat refusing trying a night hunt because of crocs), and sadly only dead notopala snails where found this time. But I did find a couple of live black shelled snails which get long and interesting.

I am really hoping the little white things you can just see coming out from under the front of the shell is part of the snail and not leeches. Sorry my camera just is not up to doing nice clear macro shots

The two together and showing some unusual spiraling growth pattern in the shell

On the glass no flash

And same guy with flash

And the speckling even goes up the underside of the antanneas.

 

[NoGi]

They look a little like ones Bob sent me a while back:

[fishmosy]

The spikey things are part of the snail. They are all likely to be Stenomelania denisoniensis, which are very similar to MTS in size, shape and breeding habits! 

 

[Baccus]

I thought they might be some part of the anatomy but it wouldn't be the first time I have discovered leeches on snails or shrimp.

As long as they dont breed as quickly as MTS I can live with these guys.

[fishmosy]

Unfortunately they breed just as quickly IF there is enough food. 

[Baccus]

While notopala hunting I found another 4 of these guys, one is an absolute monster.

[Baccus]

As well as searching in the tank for any of my notopala snails I also keep an eye out for these guys and they too have interesting spots and colourations.

They also have a surprising reach/ stretch out of their shell

I like his little yellow moustache

 

[Baccus]

Still looking impressive

In the flesh the little yellow spikes sticking up from the front of the shell only looked yellow, but in the picture they appear blotchy like the snails foot.

It doesn't really show it in this picture but he still has the yellow mouth/ moustache its just that he was swinging his head around searching for the algae I had dropped in and the other shots ended up blurry.