Snail without a shell?

[JBslick81]

Crazy guy on my flipper.

 

[kchristensen8064]

Crazy guy on my flipper.

It looks like a Stomatella snail to me. They have a tiny shell that resembles a fingernail if you look close enough. Very good clean up crew! Definitely keep the little guy around!

 

[JoshH]

I've got a naked snail rummaging through a piece of live rock as well. Had a hard time figuring out what it was at first.

 

[JBslick81]

Cool. I have no idea where it came from as I have not adding anything to my tank for a long time. Thanks for the id. I has at least been almost 2 years.

 

[JBslick81]

Are there limits on posting video can't seem to get one loaded up.

 

[kchristensen8064]

They are very good at hiding. Especially if you only have 1. I have one that I know of and I see it maybe once a month and I have to sit in front of the tank for a decent amount of time before I catch a peek at him.

 

[rstrann]

Yup, that's a stomatella. My favorite algae eater. Their growth rate can be very slow if they only have little to graze on, but they can populate a tank quickly if they have plenty of food. They're also predominantly nocturnal so it may be that you just happen to catch him out like that. I love the way they glide over rocks and feel around with those delicate antennae. Unfortunately, their lack of a complete shell makes them vulnerable to alot of fish and inverts. A pair of cleaner shrimp ate about 100 stomatella in my 90 gallon within just a few weeks. I was able to get a few to a sump, so I still have some thankfully. Good find! Hopefully you've got more hiding out :)