Stomatella snail? Keep or flush?

[toygrr]

It looks like it has a shell, so I don't think it's a flatworm. Using a magnifier I could see it has a similar "algae scraping" mouth like a trochus or turbo snail, in the hitcher guide pinned here it's labeled as "a great cleanup crew member".

What are your opinions folks, they look pretty cute imo.

 

[kevgib67]

Great cuc, a keeper !

 

[toygrr]

I also realized while reading through the hitchhiker guide that these are probably hydroids, am I correct? I've been seeing the little baby stars on the glass every day when I clean it...

I just thought I had a bunch of lucky little feather duster guys haha

 

[IKD]

It looks like it has a shell, so I don't think it's a flatworm. Using a magnifier I could see it has a similar "algae scraping" mouth like a trochus or turbo snail, in the hitcher guide pinned here it's labeled as "a great cleanup crew member".

What are your opinions folks, they look pretty cute imo.

Great find! Definitely a keeper

 

[JonoH]

These are great, get into all the small nooks and crannies!
Think of it this way...they eat the stuff you cant see...before it gets big enough for you to see!

 

[toygrr]

Makes perfect sense to me!

 

[fish_collector]

Be careful if you try to move your stomatella, their tails will break off as if they were lizards. They will reproduce with just a single individual as well. There are a few dozen in my frag tank, they aren't a huge asset as far as cleaning things, but they add to the diversity of life in the tank for sure.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I would keep it!

 

[toygrr]

I would keep it!

Already tossed it in, hopefully it multiplies!

 

[Rocks reef]

Stomatella are a great addition to your clean up crew!
And yes, those are hydroids

 

[BriDroid]

I've found a couple on the last few frags that I've bought. I picked them off before dipping and put them in my tank. More CUC is always worth it! They can't be any worse than the limpets that have taken over my AIO chambers. They plug up the inputs to my pumps, but they have completely eaten the algae that was growing back there, so good and bad

 

[toygrr]

Stomatella are a great addition to your clean up crew!
And yes, those are hydroids

That's my most cured piece of LR unfortunately. Could I stick it in a bucket with enough water to cover it but expose the hydroids on top to air? Maybe that way I won't kill all the good stuff?