new creature discovered

ShannyG

New member
I don't how it's possible in a 5g tank, but I have a surprise inhabitant. When it's on the glass its underside looks like a snail but it has no shell and is quite flat. Mottled brown in color, very slow moving. Sorry, no picture.
I have a couple of shells in the tank we brought back from Puget Sound for decoration. Maybe it came in on one of those?
 
I don't how it's possible in a 5g tank, but I have a surprise inhabitant. When it's on the glass its underside looks like a snail but it has no shell and is quite flat. Mottled brown in color, very slow moving. Sorry, no picture.
I have a couple of shells in the tank we brought back from Puget Sound for decoration. Maybe it came in on one of those?

Probably a stomatella snail. Google it and see if that matches. If it's a stomatella, they do have shells, but they are unusual shells and look like they don't. Stomatella snails are excellent herbivores and good to have around. They propagate readily, too.
 
I think some kind of stomatella is a safe bet, thank you. The things I have discovered in this little bitty tank are fantastic. My copepod population is mind blowing considering I have exactly 4 lbs of live rock.
We accidentally brought back a shore crab from Puget Sound as well, discovered him at the bottom of a 5 gal pail full of shells after a three day drive home. In a panic we dumped him in the tank and he is thriving, has even molted once. He is super elusive though; it's a good day when we spot him.
 
I'd be careful of unidentified crabs in a tank of any size. If you plan on getting corals of any type or other inhabitants he may see them as food.
 
I'd be careful of unidentified crabs in a tank of any size. If you plan on getting corals of any type or other inhabitants he may see them as food.

He is about half the size of my pinky fingernail, so smaller than anything else in there. Not interested in the coral and seems peaceful so long as no one tries to enter his cave. I saw him give the nassarius snail a good pinch today when it got too close.
I'll be setting up a 30g and starting it cycling this weekend. By the time that's ready if he's a problem child he can stay in the 5g by himself while his roommates move up in the world.
 
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