Friend or Foe?

[drewsreef]

Hi guys. I wanted to ask if anyone has seen this type of snail before. I purchased a christmas tree rock and found it on the rock. A quite a few hitchhikers actually but the black snail is what really surprised me. Looks like a black stomatella but ive never seen one before and want to make sure.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Yeah, looks like a black Stomatella to me.

 

[Brazilian Reefer]

Never seen before. Waiting for other comments.

 

[EricR]

Never seen a black stomatella either but they do exist so that'd be my guess also:
Black Stomatella Snail

 

[drewsreef]

Yeah, looks like a black Stomatella to me.

I just dont know if to keep it. Ive read some mixed opinions on these. Some say they eat algae and others say the eat sps. Which is a little cocerning given the fact that the coral on the rock is a porites which is an SPS i think?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I just dont know if to keep it. Ive read some mixed opinions on these. Some say they eat algae and others say the eat sps. Which is a little cocerning given the fact that the coral on the rock is a porites which is an SPS i think?

I've heard that some Elephant Slugs (Scutus spp.) may go after SPS on occasion, but I don't think I've heard anything negative about Black Stomatellas specifically.

Edit: For clarification, Elephant Slugs often look basically like giant Stomatella snails, and they're frequently black in color too.

 

[EricR]

The shell on yours looks very stomatella-y ... I'd put it back in and enjoy if it were me.

 

[drewsreef]

I've heard that some Elephant Slugs (Scutus spp.) may go after SPS on occasion, but I don't think I've heard anything negative about Black Stomatellas specifically.

Edit: For clarification, Elephant Slugs often look basically like giant Stomatella snails, and they're frequently black in color too.

Yeah ive been comparing the two but im pretty sure its a stomatella snail. I put in the tank and im going to keep an eye on it. I read black stomatellas are rare and pricey

 

[drewsreef]

The shell on yours looks very stomatella-y ... I'd put it back in and enjoy if it were me.

I did fingers crossed i dont regret it lol