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View Full Version : What is this little creature that came home on my live rock?

Twilight
03/08/2002, 06:09 AM
It's about an inch long, tear drop shaped, brown with kind of oval spots that are lighter in color. It slinks along like a slug, and I think it has a flat shell of top of it's body. The pointed end is the back end. He has tiny little white spur-shaped things on him. Is he good or bad? Should I remove him from my tank?
I've attached a photo, but unfortunately it's not in focus because my camera won't focus as close as I'd like, and if I back off then I have to blow up the photo large enough to see it and the quality is such that once again it's blurry. Sorry.
jersey
03/08/2002, 06:41 AM
Hi Twilight. If it looks like that they are harmless. See attached pic. I have several in my tank. I only see them cleaning the rocks and glass. Hopefully some one else can chime in and identify it.
Twilight
03/08/2002, 06:48 AM
Yeah that's more or less what mine looks like, cept mine has a smaller shell and a fatter slug body.
jersey
03/08/2002, 06:54 AM
Yea, that's what mine look like also. This guy was turning in the photo so his shape looks different. A larger one in my tank has an iridescent colored shell.
jersey
03/08/2002, 07:06 AM
Another pic.
Twilight
03/08/2002, 07:08 AM
So what the heck is it? Someone must know!
CastleRock
03/08/2002, 07:17 AM
I wanted to know the same thing a while back:) its a Stometella snail do a search for them you will find info for them
HTH
Doug
Marco
03/08/2002, 07:37 AM
Stomatella Vari also known as Cap Snails.
dc
03/08/2002, 08:00 AM
They are cool little things, come in all kinds of colors. Here's my most colorful
http://images.fotki.com/v2/photos/2/28482/68928/122802Stometella-vi.jpg?1012319629
Q-ball
03/08/2002, 08:40 AM
Agree that it's a stomatella...they're good guys.

Q!!!
saltcreeper
03/20/2002, 12:37 PM
This site will help identify this critter:D If I was to guess it might also be an Ostracode. http://www.rshimek.com/odd_critters.htm#Ctenophores
Twilight
03/20/2002, 12:43 PM
Nope, mine is much bigger than the 1/25th of an inch long ostracode. He is about 3/4 to 1" long, and his body is bigger than his shell.
forbze16
03/20/2002, 01:24 PM
Q is right...

Its a Stomatella varia or Cap snail.

Fast moving algae grazers- lawnmowers may be a better description. Mine are breeding like rabbits. I have seen them spawn- its really cool.

The babies are all over my tank. They are primarily nocturnal but I see them through out my photo period.

Dave