Unknown possible nudi...

[CoralChris]

This guy has been in my tank since i started it a couple years ago, certainly a live rock hitch hiker. i've never seen any ill effects from having it, i keep mostly softies, zoas, lps... all doing great.

I'm curious to see if anyone knows just exactly what this lil guy is... jet black, the only time the white specs on it are when its totally stretched out like seen below. 3" long. and seems to use two "antennae" to feel around before sliding over something. really hard to get a detailed pic with it being flat black.

thanks everyone!

 

[greenbean36191]

It's a Scutus limpet. They're usually fine in reef tanks, but they have been known to taste corals on occasion.

 

[iamwhatiam52]

+1

I've had one 4 years that does no harm but have spoken to someone else who says his snacks on corals.

 

[Elysia]

I love my Scutus. The ones I have encountered have always been herbivores, and until somebody has proof (i.e. stomach content studies) that they feed otherwise, I believe they are innocent -- after all, so many things can go wrong with corals. The Scutus and the ring cowries are my two favorite snails (probably since they appear so slug like.)

 

[CoralChris]

awesome news, thanks for the help guys! happy reefing!!!

 

[iamwhatiam52]

I'd like another one, but never see them for sale. Mine came from seacrop.com which is no longer in business.

 

[Elysia]

I think that they are occassional hitchhikers on the coral imports from Oz that are all the rage currently -- that is where I got my last one. Other people have found them hitchhiking on really good live rock, but I've never had live rock that was that good. From what I have read, Scutus are either male or female, but if you have both genders then the chances of reproduction in your tank are pretty good.

I know that the one I have currently has grown impressively without my having to do anything special for it, other than some care when I was moving my tank.