Is it good or bad?

cruzersmith · 2026-10-27T16:15:32-0400

This just showed up from somewhere unknown amongst several things lately that I know are unwanted like vermetid snails and bubble algae. Like the title asks is it good,bad or doesn’t matter?

Saltyreef · 2026-10-27T16:26:41-0400

Stomatella snail. Extremely beneficial.

MC Blowfish · 2026-10-27T16:38:36-0400

It looks like a Stomatella snail. They're great to have in your tank.

saltwaterfish.com · 2026-10-27T16:42:05-0400

3rd vote for stomatella, great CUC member.

cruzersmith · 2026-10-27T16:50:05-0400

Thanks guys! It’s just so weird things good and bad just suddenly appear. I understand when 3 astrea snails I start with hatch out a dozen but these other things just showing up and having to deal with gets cumbersome at times.

saltwaterfish.com · 2026-10-27T17:04:57-0400

cruzersmith said:
Thanks guys! It’s just so weird things good and bad just suddenly appear. I understand when 3 astrea snails I start with hatch out a dozen but these other things just showing up and having to deal with gets cumbersome at times.

That is definitely one of the great joys and downsides of this hobby. Especially since most live rock is collected straight from the ocean, so there's no telling what you will be getting. But people on here are always looking to help so ask all the questions you need to.

cruzersmith · 2026-10-27T18:33:15-0400

Why it’s interesting is that there was no live rock involved. The only live anything added are fish, corals, snails and a fire shrimp all in there at least 9 months.

kevgib67 · 2026-10-27T18:52:03-0400

saltwaterfish.com said:
That is definitely one of the great joys and downsides of this hobby. Especially since most live rock is collected straight from the ocean, so there's no telling what you will be getting. But people on here are always looking to help so ask all the questions you need to.

So you’re saying live rock is like a box of chocolate?

saltwaterfish.com · 2026-10-27T18:57:32-0400

cruzersmith said:
Why it’s interesting is that there was no live rock involved. The only live anything added are fish, corals, snails and a fire shrimp all in there at least 9 months.

Going for no live rock definitely has some benefits, even with coral frags or inverts they can carry eggs or tiny pieces of algae/bacteria in. No tank is ever truly safe from hitchhikers in my experience, but its all part of the process