New unknown creature… help ID please

[TangerineSpeedo]

So in the middle of the night I saw this guy. I believe he is a mollusk/snail. Size wise he was pretty big. Inch plus in length about 3/8 thick. He had as you can see a clam like half shell that I don’t believe he could fit into if he wanted to. He was foraging on the live rock. He had feelers and a snail type mouth. I didn’t seem to bother any corals. I have not added anything wild in a long time so not sure the source. But from his size, I would imagine he has been in there for a while.
If anyone has a clue what he is or a direction to start some research let me know.
Thanks

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

For reference here, is this a tropical or temperate tank?

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

For reference here, is this a tropical or temperate tank?

Sorry, the Tropical.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Stomatella? Abalone?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Yeah, a Stomatella species would be my first thought since it doesn’t look very “hairy” like abalones typically do. Some species - such as Stomatella planulata - do get pretty large, though (to my knowledge) they’re not common in our tanks.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Yes, I am going to go with a Stomatella. As I read, great CUC!
Thanks!

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Yes, I am going to go with a Stomatella. As I read, great CUC!
Thanks!

I have two that came in as hitchhikers love them. No harm to the tank

 

[jkcoon]

Stomatela

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I have two that came in as hitchhikers love them. No harm to the tank

Does yours only come out at night?

 

[Kasrift]

Does yours only come out at night?

They seem more active at night. I love them, got mine as hitchhikers too and they self reproduce in tanks. I wish places sold them, they are awesome clean up crew.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Yeah, a Stomatella species would be my first thought since it doesn’t look very “hairy” like abalones typically do. Some species - such as Stomatella planulata - do get pretty large, though (to my knowledge) they’re not common in our tanks.

He is well camouflaged. I saw him after lights out tonight also. (now that I know what to look for) It amazes me that I can have something in my tank for so long and not notice it. But if he is there, it probably means I do not have an unnoticed octopus in my tank...

 

[KrisReef]

Mine hide under rocks, or vacant spots under mushroom coral when the lights are on. I think they are rapid colonizers and at times I have suspected I have had billions, but I also think the wrasses have eaten many/most of those? :cool:

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Mine hide under rocks, or vacant spots under mushroom coral when the lights are on. I think they are rapid colonizers and at times I have suspected I have had billions, but I also think the wrasses have eaten many/most of those? :cool:

We are talking about Stomatella right? Not copepods... :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing:
This guy is pretty big, If I had billions of him I wouldn’t have any water volume left.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Does yours only come out at night?

Yes, and sometimes during the day. Mostly at night though