ID on invert

[moon jelly]

found this critter in my tank tonight. it's about a half inch long. does anyone know what it is?

 

[ReefKeepersCorner]

That looks like a little cowry. Not sure the type though.....

 

[ReefKeepersCorner]

If you touch it with something, it will retract to reveal its shell.
Seeing what the shell looks like may help with the ID. Good luck!

 

[moon jelly]

i thought cowries had smooth shells. this has a bunch of tentacle-type things on it

 

[fijiblue]

"Your photography skills are absolutely horrible...blah blah blah. Let me see if I can help here...are you using a camera? Are you pointing the camera at the subject."

Some might not be able to say it, but I can...I have no idea what that is...looks pretty scary, though.

 

[ReefKeepersCorner]

They do have smooth shells under all of that bunch of tentacles that is part of their footing. Touch it. It should retract that bunch of tentacles and reveal the shell. Come on, just do it!

 

[moon jelly]

i need a macro lens!

 

[ReefKeepersCorner]

I have one, but its for an xti....
I could come over and take some pics for ya.....

 

[DaveBien]

Its a Transformer.....

 

[fijiblue]

"Reeferbots transform!" .......that was pretty dumb wasn't it.....on that note im going to bed.

 

[karenL]

it's just plain crazy, that'swhat it is

 

[moon jelly]

dang! it is cowrie! i took a foto but my darn battery pack went dead. is it good or bad?

 

[ReefKeepersCorner]

Mine is harmless. I have had him for 3-4 years in with any coral you can think of. Never a problem for me.
I think I've seen them in a book as a potential coral eater. Not sure of the different species. Once again, mine is harmless.
Personally, I would leave him in. If I suspected anything, then I would pull him.

 

[karenL]

I thought I saw 2 of those guys in you tank the other night

 

[moon jelly]

thanks 444reefkeeper. here is a foto after " i touched it" sorry the pic is blurry. i was too close to the tank when i took the shot. needing a macro lens is reinforced.

 

[moon jelly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10308307#post10308307 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by karenL
I thought I saw 2 of those guys in you tank the other night

next time, cover one eye and you will see only one

 

[ReefKeepersCorner]

What are ya talking about? Its a perfect shot! Definitely a cowrie. That guy looks very similar to mine. I'm paranoid about things eating my coral, but I'd leave him in.

 

[pagojoe]

It's a subadult Money Cowrie, Cypraea (Monetaria) moneta. He's about to form his adult teeth at that stage, and will start forming calluses on the base. He won't get any larger, just thicker. I guarantee you he won't eat your corals....

http://www.gastropods.com/6/Shell_76.html

Cheers,



Don

 

[fijiblue]

I agree with pagojoe and 444...one of the best cowries to have in a reef tank.

Jelly - you know im kidding about your photos, right...they came out great!

 

[yankeereefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10308094#post10308094 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by moon jelly
i need a macro lens!

get a cheapo magnifying glass, same diff