I'm a n00b ^_^' please help with IDed

[anememoni]

Some type of coral growing out of my rock, what is it?

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RFs5fITYJE4LfDS_cGuAdw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4cFCYqFo-u0/SVBRSWnBROI/AAAAAAAAABQ/QKUlFJvNd_I/s400/mysterycoral.jpg" /></a>

I also found some type of mystery snails on the beach near the saltwater marsh, they look like nerites but I'm not sure? 0_o They have light green shell.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ubz1XBEv788AMMqvWS-zmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4cFCYqFo-u0/SVBRSSUtCWI/AAAAAAAAABY/kla2QMFYM0w/s400/IMG_1855.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aQiSwyOP-tooKlouFFbM-g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4cFCYqFo-u0/SVBRSgUtJeI/AAAAAAAAABg/nmmW0a_h_Iw/s400/IMG_1854.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/j3H8QeSC76-RLehZuQEnUg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4cFCYqFo-u0/SVBRStWG8LI/AAAAAAAAABo/N46wuenbvSc/s400/IMG_1853.jpg" /></a>
Thanksssssssssssssss

[wrott]

I can't see pics.

[anememoni]

srry, I hope it works now.

[xJake]

The first photo looks like some type of leather coral; possibly Sinularia dura but it's hard to tell with such early growth.

The snail looks like some type of Nerita sp., but when it comes to snails as long as it eats algae/detritus and not my tank inhabitants I could care less what it is.

The final photo is hard to make an I.D. on as it's not open. My best guess is possibly some type of Turbinaria sp..

[paraletho]

Marsh periwinkle for the snail. these prefer to work at the waters edge in the grasses going in and out scraping algae off the marsh grasses. They usually prefer salinities lower than what we run in our reef systems

[anememoni]

Thanks so much, it look exactly like leather coral, just dont know which one. The 3 pictures of the snails are the same species. Its just there is thousands of them on the beach I want some inexpensive clean up crew for my 200 gallon tank.

[Salamander]

I agree with Jake on Sinulara dura (cabbage coral) but of course a little better picture would help. Not sure on the snails.

[pagojoe]

Paraletho nailed the snail ID (I bet he's seen one before...) They are good algae eaters but spend quite a bit of time out of the water. Hopefully yours won't climb out and wait for the incoming tide.

http://www.gastropods.com/2/Shell_2502.html

Cheers,



Don

[anememoni]

Yep! He nailed it alright, look exactly like it. It like eating my fuzzy green algae and my carpet...hehe. Some crawl out, some stay.