cool snail just chilling

[reef krazy]

this little guy came with some frags that i recently acquired

any good info on it

 

[Baradhel]

Heliacus variegatus. Get it out now, they're zoanthid parasites.

 

[Elysia]

If, when you pull it out (and you should, at least to check it), it seems to have a drill bit shaped part (its either the mouth part or the operculum, which seals the shell -- I haven't found one in a while, so I don't recall off-hand the exact anatomy), then it is indeed the zoanthid eating snail referred to in the above post.

 

[philter4]

They are common around here, but when in your tank will destroy your zooanthid coloneis, I have accidently added them more then once when I collect zoo coloneis, and at first they seem to just irritate the colony, making some close, but as they grow they can eat one to two at a time and very quickly kill the whole colony.

 

[pagojoe]

Yes, it's the infamous "Sundial," either Heliacus variegatus or H. areola. Obligate zoanthid predator, as the others have noted.

http://www.gastropods.com/5/Shell_5765.shtml
http://www.gastropods.com/2/Shell_10032.shtml

Cheers,



Don