Can snails loose their shells?

phatfish

New Member
Found this guy running along side my glass. Is it a snail without its shell? Also, will hermit crabs steal shells from snails?
Thanks
 

jay0705

Well-Known Member
No idea what that is lol but yes hermits will kill snails for there shells. Get a few empty shells and leave them in ur tank and that will help
 

bang guy

Moderator
Yes, it actually is possible for a snail to lose it's shell for various reasons. Given a LOT of time they can even regrow it but typically they are quickly eaten without their protection.
That said, the animal in your picture appears to be the Sea Slug Oxynoe antillarum. They are normally only found on Caulerpa.
When Hermit Crabs steal shells from Snails they almost always eat the Snail.
 

phatfish

New Member
Thanks for the feed back. Looking online, it seems like it is a sea slug. Are they good? or is it something I am going to have to monitor?
 
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