need an ID, no pic yet

[bigbenji]

I just got a free cleaner package in the mail. On one of the turbo snails is what my wife thinks is a barnacle. Its a small raised mound, with what look like 2 lips and a mouth that just open and close all the time. When I spook it it shuts its mouth and sinks into its own little mound. Its the same color as the snail shell, and its about 1/4 across. Any ideas, and would it be safe to keep this snail? Should I try to pry this thing off the snail?

[jenghes]

Stomatella? Does it look kinda like an astrea, but without it's shell or a flat shell?

Jen

[bigbenji]

Its on the snail shell. The snail is a turbo with a pretty big shell, its about 1 1/2 inches diameter. The "thing" is actually stuck on the snail's shell. Its raised about 1/8", and has a mouth-type opening that open and closes all the time. When I scare it the mouth-thing closes and sinks back into its own little mound, that is attached to the snail's shell. There are small string, or hair-like fibers holding the thing to the snail. I can't pry it off without fear of breaking the snail's shell. Its stuck on that well.

[Slicktrax]

i had a ton of barnacles on my TBS rock. if it is, it will look like there is a small hand waving through the water. some of the snails that hitchhiked in had barnacles on them as well. barnacles wont harm anything.

[bigbenji]

Nope, it looks more like the end of a duckbill sticking out of a very small mound, that is stuck to the snail shell. I can't find a pic of this thing anywhere and my sis is borrowing my camera.

[bigbenji]

I finally have a pic of this crazy thing.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/bencpht/Reef/june05050.jpg

[wahshk]

barnacle for sure.

[bigbenji]

OK, now what do I do? Is it ok to leave in the tank or do I have to kill the snail? There's no way I can get it off the snail without cracking the shell. What if I injected it with something? I'm asking questions without trying to look up the answer myself, jeez I feel like a nurse. (just a 'lil pharmacy humor there)

[selgado]

Barnacle

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/74025barnacle.jpg

http://techhouse.brown.edu/~spg/barnacle.html

[Slicktrax]

it wont hurt anything. more than likely it will die off on its own just leaving the shell behind.