Snail like critter - partial shell - please help ID

[Lance Fjeseth]

I changed water and vacuumed my sand. I started in one corner. When I got done with the water change this critter had crawled up the glass in that corner of my tank. I think I disturbed it. It is about 1/2 inch or so long with long antenna, little black eyes, greenish body (outside the tank light - appears all white in the tank with Kessil a360x), purplish partial shell. moves pretty good. put it in a cup and it tried to crawl out. have it in a specimen jar now with a lid. I dip everything before it goes in my tank. not sure where it came from. No new frags for over 2 months. Is this critter harmful to corals?

 

[Mr_Knightley]

That is a Stomatella snail, perfectly good CUC and harmless to corals. I assume it was introduces in the beginning as a very tiny snail and grew to that size in your reef.

 

[BranchingHammer]

+1 stomatella snail, good clean up crew member that might breed in your tank, wish I had some!

 

[Lance Fjeseth]

Great! thank you for the quick reply. I put him back in the tank. I might have more - I watch the tank often and this is the first time I have seen this critter. I guess I am doing something right. Tank has been running for about 6 months - elos midi. I appreciate your help.

 

[vetteguy53081]

One of the best algae you can acquire, yet you cannot purchase them.

 

[Alexopora]

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One of the best algae you can acquire, yet you cannot purchase them.

Exactly, if i could I wouldn't mind paying for them. Like u said, the best algae eater one could have. Gentle and well behaved. If the conditions in your tank are right, they might readily breed in your tank. Mine breeds readily in my skimmer-less tank.

 

[Lance Fjeseth]

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Exactly, if i could I wouldn't mind paying for them. Like u said, the best algae eater one could have. Gentle and well behaved. If the conditions in your tank are right, they might readily breed in your tank. Mine breeds readily in my skimmer-less tank.

Why can we not buy them commercially?

 

[Alexopora]

Why can we not buy them commercially?

Honestly, I am not sure though I suspect it is due to the lack of demand. Most people regard stomatellas as hitchhikers and probably wouldn’t think of paying for some.

 

[erinw347]

Why can we not buy them commercially?

I hear it is because they are rarely out during the day and it’s really hard to ship them. Not positive though.