What is this????

[Lbannie]

Just picked up a Red Sea max 250, and it was still running, got some nice live rocks, a few softies, snails, 2 clowns, and this really strange snail like thing!! The lady mentioned it but I forgot what she said. She told me to be careful of it! Anyone know what it is??

 

[KrisReef]

Cowrie

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Looking at the first picture it looks like a Monetaria annulus (ring cowrie)

 

[Lbannie]

Are they good to have? Reef safe?

 

[James M]

Some are reef safe

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Are they good to have? Reef safe?

From what I read, ring and money coweries are considered reef safe. Both look similar to what you have. I would use caution and just make sure it has enough algae to eat.

 

[Lbannie]

Thanks! It's pretty neat looking. Strange how it covers its shell with those spikey things. Must be a defense mechanism?

 

[Eastlake]

They are AMAZING algae eaters and, at least around here anyway, not regularly available. I'm not certain why they extend their mantles over their shells like that but if I had a guess I'd say it's for camoflage purposes. I know that I wouldn't be able to see that thing plowing through a patch of algae with its mantle extended.