Gary & Gonzo: The Mystery of a Betta's Disappearing Snail

Gonzo

About 8 months ago I was given a baby snail by a coworker.  With care, I transported Gary home to move in with Grover, my gregarious, and always hungry, Betta fish who resides in a mansion of a five gallon heated tank.

Gary hanging out

For the first month or two, Gary would move around mansion's glass walls.  For weeks at a time Gary would sit in one spot.  Sometimes I would wonder if he was even still alive.  One day I pondered this aloud, and the very next day there was Gary doing acrobatics on the foot (or fin?) bridge (you know what they say, sonic hearing those snails, well that's what they should say anyway). 

Well, about a month and a half ago I noticed Gary migrated to Gonzo's blue plant.  Gonzo loves his plant. It's his turf.  He will hang there for literally hours. Then, one day about a few weeks ago I noticed that Gary's shell was getting more and more transparent, and I began to wonder if Gary had perhaps moved out.  Seeing no evidence of a new shell, I had a sinking feeling. 

Recently, Gary's shell floated to the side of the tank, and in fact, Gary is no more (RIP Gary).  <hey, how did Gary's shell move from plant to side of tank anyway?>

The question is, did Gonzo, my beloved-always-greets-me (and not just for food, I like to imagine)-Betta, (gasp) off 

Gonzo enjoying a swim

Gary?  Or, did Gary die of natural causes?  Am I housing a murderer, and by extension does that make me one?   

Well, we may never know, but let us take a moment of silence for Gary, the best snail that ever was. 

Source: http://www.buzzfeed.com/michelleregna/spirit-animal#.vwwrWBLxlP