Help noob with critter ID

[Sneds]

I have found a few of these around my tank, the 4 in the pic I found in my fuge. I found a couple that were a bit larger in by display, they were light gray and had a flat, hard "shell". Any help with ID would be appreciated.

 

I searched for pics with no luck. Is there a sticky or thread with pics of all the nasties we don't want to have in our tanks? I have looked around a bit, and couldn't ID these guys.

 

Thanks for the help.

[Mandarin91]

IMO, It looks like it may be some variation of a sea slug. I have heard of certain forms having a flat shell. That being said, different species has different dietary needs. Some will eat algae, sponges, as well as different variations within its species, while others will eat each other. But i could be wrong.

[Dakarta]

I'm kind of new , but from your description it sounds like a stomatella snail, aka a paper bubble. I have one in my tank. It's kind of neat. Mine doesn't look like yours though so perhaps it is something different. Hopefully you get a proper ID.

[Sneds]

Thanks for the help, I believe they are Stomatella snails, after doing some more research. Any more ID's from others would still be appreciated. I have picked about a half dozen of these off my rock over the last few days and now find out they could be beneficial? O well, live and learn. At least, it appears to not be panic time!

 

Thanks again for the help!

[ry05coupe]

Thanks for the help, I believe they are Stomatella snails, after doing some more research. Any more ID's from others would still be appreciated. I have picked about a half dozen of these off my rock over the last few days and now find out they could be beneficial? O well, live and learn. At least, it appears to not be panic time!

 

Thanks again for the help!

 

 

Do they have shells? They don't really look like stomatellas to me.

[Dakarta]

Do they have shells? They don't really look like stomatellas to me.

 

that's why i was confused. by the description

light gray and had a flat, hard "shell".

it sounds like what I have in my tank. Mine is a grayish brown with a small white shell. But by the pictures they don't look like my stoma. Damn I hope I didn't steer you wrong.

[castiel]

Me either ... no shells from the pic you showed.

[RayWhisperer]

There are too many Nudibranch and related animals to identify. What you have is something I have never seen.

 

Here is a list of what's known.

http://www.nudipixel.net/species/

Have fun. There is a lot of them to go through.

 

One thought that pops into my head. Where did your live rock come from? That MAY help narrow the search for you.

 

I'll move this to the ID forum.

 

Edit; there are many species with shells, both external, or internal. Some have external shells that the animal will cover with it's flesh when out.

[castiel]

Here is a list of what's known.

http://www.nudipixel.net/species/

Have fun. There is a lot of them to go through.

And if you run out of those, try this one: http://www.seaslugforum.net/specieslist.htm

[Sneds]

Great- a mystery critter. Thanks for moving to the correct forum.

 

My rock was all dead rock. I started with zero live rock or live sand. Thats whats kinda wierd. I have found the majority of these guys in my sump, where, not to place blame on anyone or anything, but the only outside source is the cleanup crew I got from reefcleaners. I also got a ball of chaeto from RC. All of my corals were small frags, and I used coralRX on all of them. The critters were present before any corals were added anyway.

 

I started my cycle with water from a friends long established tank, and a couple frozen cubes of shrimp. I emailed him the pic of the critter, and he has never seen them in his tank.

 

They do have a thin, flattish shell or "hard" skin on thier back, and they sort of roll into a ball when you pick them up, and they can attach themselves very securley to the rockwork and are very hard to pull off.

 

I have not noticed them on anything other than the rock and occasionally the glass. My sump has a ball of chaeto and they seem to really like this area. I have no idea how they made it to the display.

 

Again, thanks for all the help and directing this to the correct forum. If anyone would like a sample, I'd gladly pic a couple and send them to ya, they seem to multiply pretty quickly, thats really my concern.

[RayWhisperer]

Considering what you've described, it sounds a lot like Stomatella. However, those in the picture look nothing like Stomatella. They look more akin to some sort of nudibranch.

 

Since it seems the only way they could have arrived is from Reef Cleaners. I would narrow your search to nudis native to waters around the east coast. If that fails, try PMing John that pic. He may be very familiar with it.

 

As a side note. If they are doing no harm that you can see. Provided they self regulate their numbers. I see no harm in keeping them. Hell, provided they come back as safe. I may take some off your hands.