Snail Identification?

[WWS]

I put live rock in my tank a few days ago and now I am seeing some type of snail crawling on the rock. The snail is dark in color with a flat purpleish shell on its back. Are these good to have in the tank?

 

[RigoSharon]

probably turbo snails??..if so, good cleanners..reef safe,...a pic will help..

 

[Bifferwine]

If it's a flat shell on it's back and it's darkish in color, it's not a turbo snail. It's likely a stomatella. Here's a picture: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rs/images/image023.jpg

It's shell kind of looks like a fingernail, and they are nocturnal. You'll get a few as hitchhikers on your live rock, and they are good scavengers, reef safe, good find!

 

[reeffreak]

Sounds like a black stomatella,an algae grazer,reef safe.

 

[yote]

I agree with Biff and Reef.
You'll find all kinds of cool critters crawling out of your live rock.

 

[WannaRace]

Very true, I just found my first one last night hiding in a pore in one of my rocks. Almost looks like a very miniature crab, has long eyes and just resembles one. I really don't know what it is tho..

 

[WWS]

I found another type of snail that is white in color and looks like it has snow flakes hanging from it. Are these ok for the reef?

 

[fishbait]

now that one sounds interesting! can you get a pic?

 

[Bifferwine]

Yeah, sorry, cannot really say for sure without a pic :(

 

[yote]

That sounds more hydroid jellies.

 

[Bifferwine]

Check out Melev's Reef - Visual Identification and see if you can come up with something there.

 

[WWS]

actually the white snail I mentioned above looks more like a type of slug. It does not have a shell. I am unable to locate a picture of it on the web as of now.

 

[fishbait]

it may be some type of nudibranch. try googling that

 

[WWS]

I did a search on that, but no luck yet. I will keep trying

 

[WWS]

I found a link that has a picture

Puget Sound Nudibranch Photos

It is the last picture on the bottom right.

 

[fishbait]

glad you could find it