very interesting snail that needs an ID

[azimiut]

i posted this in the beginner ID section and they told me to try here with it. so, this guy is a little smaller than a dime, nocturnal, and very fast. the foot of the snail looks to be a dark blue, almost black. but to help out here are some great pics of the little guy.

 

[nts9]

that is bizarre
looks like a sponge has overgrown the shell and then the sponge was overgrown by a sea squirt
neat creature.

 

[azimiut]

any idea on the type of snail under all that stuff?

 

[TOURKID]

wow neat

 

[Sk8r]

That's quite nice-looking. I hope he survives and thrives. He's too neat.

 

[graveyardworm]

Looks like it has a transparent shell, and a very large brain.

 

[RedSonja]

My first reaction - that's a sponge. Then I saw the "foot" and you said it moves, and quickly. Very cool critter. Be interesting to find out what it is!

-Sonja

 

[BrianPlankis]

I have one of these snails in my tank as well and I know one other person that has some.

I tried an ID with Dr Shimek:
http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic40698-11-1.aspx?Highlight=snail

But I need to get him better pictures yet as I only see the snail once in a while and when I do I always have more pressing things to do. You might try adding your pictures to the thread I just listed and see what Dr Shimek's opinion is of what is on the snail. While my pictures do not show it like yours, it definitely also has the transparent siphon. Whether or not it is a hitchhiker on the shell or actually part of the snail is very curious indeed.

Brian

 

[fanaglethebagle]

It's a metroid

 

[daFrimpster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8691120#post8691120 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fanaglethebagle
It's a metroid

hilarious!