mystery mollusk, identify?

[fringehead]

This little beastie is approximately one and one quarter inch long, appears to be some type of gastropod. Has been in my twelve gallon nano since setup (likely with the live rock) has grown progressively larger over the past eight months or so. Does a good job of removing algae from glass, seems to have some type of partial shell, almost abalone-like. Has tube-like mouth parts. Friend or foe?

 

[er..md]

I had the same question a few weeks ago...mine had a shell that looked like a little helmet...my understanding is that it is a stomatella snail and they are good cleaners....unfortunately I haven't seen mine since I posted his mug shot

 

[peef]

I have one also, it is almost transparent and like you said MD its shell looks like a little helmet.

 

[bigarn]

That's a stomatella snail.

 

[teresaq]

I have one too, Great little hitchhicker.

 

[chellie4u2]

I have about 25 of these in my tank.. Like one had babies, they are so tiny and everywhere..

 

[bang guy]

Looks like a Head-Shield Snail to me.

 

[bigarn]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
Looks like a Head-Shield Snail to me.
Hmmm ..... never heard of a head shield snail.

 

[teresaq]

can you get a picture from the top down???

 

[fringehead]

No, not a good one. I googled stomatella snail and that looks like the infidel. Thanks

 

[nano reefer]

i have one, the other day it was looking up at the lights and started puffing out this purple liquid. It looked like smoke rings. It was shooting right out of its forehead. About a dozen squirts. creepy.

 

[bang guy]

The difference in the foot of a Head-Shield vs a Stomatella is thet the Stomatella will have a line going straight down the center from front to back. The Head-Shield will have no lines.