Need ID help of critter.

[Pakratt]

My son took this picture last night while lights were out. It's the only picture so far if it. We haven't added anything to the tank in a couple weeks. We've never seen it before last night. Should be worried about it, try to find it again and remove it?

 

[Maho.B]

Looks like cowrie to me. If so, they are useful members of the CUC I believe

 

[Privateye]

+1 for cowrie.

Some are great (e.g. money cowrie) but most are not reef safe (e.g. tiger cowrie). I'm not sure which species you have, but it's not either of those.

 

[BryanM]

+2 cowrie

 

[martin.a]

It is a cowrie. To identify, next time you see it, touch it gently. I will retract its mantle and show the shell. Take a photo and post. Cowries are usually nocturnal, best to look for them an hour or so after dark.

 

[Pakratt]

Got a picture of it last night again after gently touching a couple times.

 

[Decamicron Labs Verified Sponsor]

Yes this is some sort of cowrie

 

[Uncle99]

Since he’s a hitchhiker cowry I’d watch him until species is determined.

If he spends anytime on any coral, remove.

 

[penfold2]

Looks like a gold ring cowrie, named for the gold ring visible on the shell when the mantle is retracted. I've had one for 9 months now. It's difficult to tell how much benefit it provides since they're completely nocturnal, but it hasn't done any harm.

 

[martin.a]

This is gold ring cowrie. Excellent grazer, eats even tougher turf algae (if it wants to). Reef safe, stays small, nocturnal.
Fascinating you got it as a hitchhiker. I have 4 in my tank.

 

[JerrySwiecz]

My son took this picture last night while lights were out. It's the only picture so far if it. We haven't added anything to the tank in a couple weeks. We've never seen it before last night. Should be worried about it, try to find it again and remove it?

It looks like some kind of slug. The rule is, if you can’t identify, it’s best to remove it