New unknown creature… help ID please

TangerineSpeedo · Oct 6, 2023

So in the middle of the night I saw this guy. I believe he is a mollusk/snail. Size wise he was pretty big. Inch plus in length about 3/8 thick. He had as you can see a clam like half shell that I don’t believe he could fit into if he wanted to. He was foraging on the live rock. He had feelers and a snail type mouth. I didn’t seem to bother any corals. I have not added anything wild in a long time so not sure the source. But from his size, I would imagine he has been in there for a while.
If anyone has a clue what he is or a direction to start some research let me know.
Thanks

ISpeakForTheSeas · Oct 6, 2023

For reference here, is this a tropical or temperate tank?

TangerineSpeedo · Oct 6, 2023

ISpeakForTheSeas said:
For reference here, is this a tropical or temperate tank?

Sorry, the Tropical.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Oct 6, 2023

Stomatella? Abalone?

ISpeakForTheSeas · Oct 6, 2023

Yeah, a Stomatella species would be my first thought since it doesn’t look very “hairy” like abalones typically do. Some species - such as Stomatella planulata - do get pretty large, though (to my knowledge) they’re not common in our tanks.

TangerineSpeedo · Oct 6, 2023

Yes, I am going to go with a Stomatella. As I read, great CUC!
Thanks!

Cichlid Dad · Oct 6, 2023

TangerineSpeedo said:
Yes, I am going to go with a Stomatella. As I read, great CUC!
Thanks!

I have two that came in as hitchhikers love them. No harm to the tank

jkcoon · Oct 6, 2023

Stomatela

TangerineSpeedo · Oct 7, 2023

Cichlid Dad said:
I have two that came in as hitchhikers love them. No harm to the tank

Does yours only come out at night?

Kasrift · Oct 7, 2023

TangerineSpeedo said:
Does yours only come out at night?

They seem more active at night. I love them, got mine as hitchhikers too and they self reproduce in tanks. I wish places sold them, they are awesome clean up crew.

TangerineSpeedo · Oct 7, 2023

ISpeakForTheSeas said:
Yeah, a Stomatella species would be my first thought since it doesn’t look very “hairy” like abalones typically do. Some species - such as Stomatella planulata - do get pretty large, though (to my knowledge) they’re not common in our tanks.

He is well camouflaged. I saw him after lights out tonight also. (now that I know what to look for) It amazes me that I can have something in my tank for so long and not notice it. But if he is there, it probably means I do not have an unnoticed octopus in my tank...

KrisReef · Oct 7, 2023

Mine hide under rocks, or vacant spots under mushroom coral when the lights are on. I think they are rapid colonizers and at times I have suspected I have had billions, but I also think the wrasses have eaten many/most of those?

TangerineSpeedo · Oct 7, 2023

KrisReef said:
Mine hide under rocks, or vacant spots under mushroom coral when the lights are on. I think they are rapid colonizers and at times I have suspected I have had billions, but I also think the wrasses have eaten many/most of those?

We are talking about Stomatella right? Not copepods...