Snail without Shell

[Logzor]

Noticed this evening that there is apparently a snail without its shell.

Is this possible or could it be another type of creature?

A normal snail was near it and their suckers or mouths and mouth movement are identical. So similar I am almost positive the snail must of lost its shell, maybe from my hermits???

Also, the size of this creature covers the same amount of glass-space as the shelled snail, this seems to rule out that it is a juvenile yet to grow a shell.

Anyone know what is happening here?

 

[Logzor]

Never mind. I just searched "snail without shell" on google and found that it is a stomella snail.

Where the heck did it come from? I have never see one in my tank before.

 

[Tayler]

it probably hitchhiked on your live rock.

 

[Ebmorri]

Stomella have a shell and are small. depending on the size it may be a Chiton, they have a shell but it looks like a few plates on the back.

 

[chrisstie]

stomatellas are indeed hitchhikers but one of the best kind you can find. They are great little cleaners and cool to boot with their "hidden half shell"

 

[Logzor]

Very interesting.

Hopefully since there is this one large one there are lots more!

 

[erichatesmice]

That's exactly what I thought when I saw my first stomatella. Really cool guys. They have a very strong stick to your finger compared to the average snail. I love em.