Snail Leech (Glossiphonia sp.)

[Andreas Werth]

Hi,
yesterday I made some photos of a Snail Leech. I got it from a female aquarist last week. Maybe some of you will be interested in these photos.

This is the view from above:



If you take a look at the underbelly, it gets even more interesting.
Here you can see juveniles attached to the body.



Snail Leeches broods its eggs and young on its body for several weeks and captures food for its offspring.

[Quixotic]

Fascinating details. What is the size of the adult snail leech?

[benetay]

Great details! It's really an eye opener, not seen it before. Seems very dangerous if you place them in the tank where they will multiply in large number.

[benny]

Great photo at extreme magnification! What's the size of this thing?

The exposure is perfect and you can see so much details. The underside is just amazing!! I wonder if any of the baby leechers drops out and how does the female 'collect' it back?

Cheers,

[Andreas Werth]

Thank you.

What is the size of the adult snail leech?

On the photo it is about 1 cm long. But it can stretch itself at least the double size.

Benny,
since I do not have a bellows at the moment, I´m stuck with max. 3:1.
Above, since the leech is quite big (compared to some of my latest subjects), magnification is about 2:1.
Here is one more with 3:1:



These leeches are able to stick themselves quite good on a glass panel - i guess so do the juveniles on their parent (these are hermaphrodites). While removing the leech from my Micro photo tank, I noticed three youngsters swirling in the water. Put them back together in the bigger tank I reserved for them. So I can´t tell whether the parent collected them again or they found their old place at the underbelly.

[Shaihulud]

I assume by its name that it predates snails? Very cool then if it does it, then many people will want it in their tank hahah. Instead of unsightly snails, you have a nice leeches.

[Andreas Werth]

>I assume by its name that it predates snails?

yes, they are parasites

>Very cool then if it does it, then many people will want it in their tank hahah. Instead of unsightly snails, you have a nice leeches.

out from the frying pan into the fire... ;-)


Here one can see a leech hitchhiking on the back of its victim...

[Shaihulud]

At least the numbers will be restricted by the snails you have in the tank. I like snails but wouldn't mind having such an animal in a very special tank.

[flashout]

Mmmm... this would be something that I will not want in my tanks.. hehehe . I am snails lover.

But its very interesting photo... very good one. Post more photo for us please.

[Quixotic]

Andreas, in the absence of snails, would they actually turn their attention to fishes?

[Andreas Werth]

Hi,

Andreas, in the absence of snails, would they actually turn their attention to fishes?

I don´t think so. I guess they would die. If I have some new photos, I will post them here. Thank you for your interest.