Help identify this odd snail

[Mighty Quinn]

Hi Everyone,

I have had this snail in my tank for about 5 years. It is nocturnal and is quite impossible to find when the lights are on. I have been waiting weeks to find this guy close enough to the front of the tank that I could snag a close up photo at night.

The snail is about 2 cm long, and its shell is covered in rows of stubby tube-like features. At first I thought this was algae, but close inspection reveals that these are really features of the shell.

Any ideas what this guy is?

Cheers
TMQ

 

[pagojoe]

I expect that's a Gold Ringer Cowry, Cypraea (Monetaria) annulus. The stubby tube-like features are actually on the mantle, rather than the shell itself, and are called papillae. Most people think they are great snails to have, but a few have complained about them tasting of things that they didn't want bothered. If you touch the animal, it will withdraw the mantle and should look like this:

http://www.gastropods.com/6/Shell_36.shtml

Cheers,



Don

 

[Mighty Quinn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15285303#post15285303 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pagojoe
I expect that's a Gold Ringer Cowry, Cypraea (Monetaria) annulus. The stubby tube-like features are actually on the mantle, rather than the shell itself, and are called papillae. Most people think they are great snails to have, but a few have complained about them tasting of things that they didn't want bothered. If you touch the animal, it will withdraw the mantle and should look like this:

I tried to take a few more photos last night as the snail was going across the sand. Must be that the flash startled it, because it retracted the mantle and revealed its bright white, shiny shell. Really quite bizarre and fascinating to watch.

Thanks for the help!

Cheers,
TMQ

 

[Airwolf75]

I keep them also, after 2 years never had any problems. They are really easy on the eyes.