Snail without Shell

Logzor · 01/30/2008, 11:33 PM

Noticed this evening that there is apparently a snail without its shell.

Is this possible or could it be another type of creature?

A normal snail was near it and their suckers or mouths and mouth movement are identical. So similar I am almost positive the snail must of lost its shell, maybe from my hermits???

Also, the size of this creature covers the same amount of glass-space as the shelled snail, this seems to rule out that it is a juvenile yet to grow a shell.

Anyone know what is happening here?

Logzor · 01/30/2008, 11:40 PM

Never mind. I just searched "snail without shell" on google and found that it is a stomella snail.

Where the heck did it come from? I have never see one in my tank before.

Tayler · 01/31/2008, 12:22 AM

it probably hitchhiked on your live rock.

Ebmorri · 01/31/2008, 12:25 AM

Stomella have a shell and are small. depending on the size it may be a Chiton, they have a shell but it looks like a few plates on the back.

chrisstie · 01/31/2008, 07:44 AM

stomatellas are indeed hitchhikers but one of the best kind you can find. They are great little cleaners and cool to boot with their "hidden half shell"

Logzor · 01/31/2008, 12:24 PM

Very interesting.

Hopefully since there is this one large one there are lots more!

erichatesmice · 01/31/2008, 12:30 PM

That's exactly what I thought when I saw my first stomatella. Really cool guys. They have a very strong stick to your finger compared to the average snail. I love em.

01/30/2008, 11:33 PM	#1
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	Snail without Shell Noticed this evening that there is apparently a snail without its shell. Is this possible or could it be another type of creature? A normal snail was near it and their suckers or mouths and mouth movement are identical. So similar I am almost positive the snail must of lost its shell, maybe from my hermits??? Also, the size of this creature covers the same amount of glass-space as the shelled snail, this seems to rule out that it is a juvenile yet to grow a shell. Anyone know what is happening here?

01/31/2008, 07:44 AM	#5
chrisstie Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4,727	stomatellas are indeed hitchhikers but one of the best kind you can find. They are great little cleaners and cool to boot with their "hidden half shell" __________________ You lookin' at my wrasse? Current Tank Info: I find it odd that there are children starving in this country and yet we euthanize millions of stray dogs and cats every year and then incinerate the bodies. Not only that, but we make it illegal to butcher the meat. -MarkS

01/31/2008, 12:30 PM	#7
erichatesmice Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 325	That's exactly what I thought when I saw my first stomatella. Really cool guys. They have a very strong stick to your finger compared to the average snail. I love em. __________________ mint wuv wubabio!

01/30/2008, 11:40 PM	#2
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	Never mind. I just searched "snail without shell" on google and found that it is a stomella snail. Where the heck did it come from? I have never see one in my tank before.

01/31/2008, 12:22 AM	#3
Tayler Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: B.C. canada Posts: 258	it probably hitchhiked on your live rock.

01/31/2008, 12:25 AM	#4
Ebmorri Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 662	Stomella have a shell and are small. depending on the size it may be a Chiton, they have a shell but it looks like a few plates on the back.

01/31/2008, 12:24 PM	#6
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	Very interesting. Hopefully since there is this one large one there are lots more!