Slug vs nudibranch???

[VetSurgReefer]

Hello everyone! I am about three months in to a new Red Sea xl425 and just happened to look at my tank in the dark last night and noticed these little guys. I saw 4 of them and they hated the direct light. I would describe them as white body with a pink back/center and two lengthy antennae. Are these stomatellas or are they a nudibranch? Friends or foes? They were only on and in rock, not touching any livestock. Thanks for the help!

 

[TnFishwater98]

Does it look like it has a soft shell, kinda like a soft shell turtle?

 

[TnFishwater98]

Maybe a Stomatella? Good Hitchiker...

 

[VetSurgReefer]

Does it look like it has a soft shell, kinda like a soft shell turtle?

Yeah, kind of. That could be the pinkish structure.

 

[VetSurgReefer]

Yeah, kind of. That could be the pinkish structure.

Was just thrown off by the coloring

 

[TnFishwater98]

Here is a pink one, this is what mine look like

 

[TnFishwater98]

Did they move faster than you would expect them?

 

[VetSurgReefer]

Here is a pink one, this is what mine look like

Awesome! Thank you!

 

[VetSurgReefer]

Did they move faster than you would expect them?

Not necessarily, but they got out of the light pretty quick. They certainly weren’t darting. They reminded me of how my Nassarius snails move.

 

[TnFishwater98]

That would be my guess, just to make sure I would catch one.

 

[Thespammailaccount]

If it does not have a shell I would say it is a nudibranch but it looks like a stomatella I have pink white and black shell ones in my tank

 

[VetSurgReefer]

If it does not have a shell I would say it is a nudibranch but it looks like a stomatella I have pink white and black shell ones in my tank

I will try to catch one tonight and get a better look. Thanks again!

 

[Alexopora]

Hello everyone! I am about three months in to a new Red Sea xl425 and just happened to look at my tank in the dark last night and noticed these little guys. I saw 4 of them and they hated the direct light. I would describe them as white body with a pink back/center and two lengthy antennae. Are these stomatellas or are they a nudibranch? Friends or foes? They were only on and in rock, not touching any livestock. Thanks for the help!

Can 100% confirm its a stomatella. The shell shape and texture checks out. They are not exactly purely nocturnal but they do show up more at night. Fast moving and you may occasionally have a few missing their “tail” or parts of their foot. They are able to detach part of their foot like lizards to distract predators while they escape. If you have hermits or crabs in your tank, this will be a very common occurrence.

 

[VetSurgReefer]

Can 100% confirm its a stomatella. The shell shape and texture checks out. They are not exactly purely nocturnal but they do show up more at night. Fast moving and you may occasionally have a few missing their “tail” or parts of their foot. They are able to detach part of their foot like lizards to distract predators while they escape. If you have hermits or crabs in your tank, this will be a very common occurrence.

Thank you! Glad to hear i picked up a good fella!