Is this a snail?

[Valantine]

First, let me apologize for a double post. I realized too late I should have posted this as its own thread.

Anyway, I found this in my DT yesterday morning. I put it in my QT tank thinking maybe it's a sick snail. No change, and it still moves all around the tank. Is it a sick snail or something else? Looks like a slug with a shell - always thought snail just curled up in their shell when they were sick. I appreciate any suggestions!

[hijinks]

looks like it could be a stomatella snail

[kfisc]

It very much looks like a stomatella, maybe Stomatella impertusa? That one's huge relative to the small varieties I've had. They tend to be fast moving and very cool, I think. A beneficial part of your clean-up crew.

[mcgyvr]

And a very cool looking one indeed..

[Sugar Magnolia]

I moved this here so Pagojoe can have a look.

[Valantine]

Yes, after looking up stomatella, I think that is exactly what it is. It is very fast and didn't seem sick at all. I found it first thing in the morning before the lights went on. I guess I'll put him back in DT. thanks for your help!

[Pandagobyguy]

Coooooolllll!!!!

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[Valantine]

Put him back in DT. He closed up completely like a snail, then when he opened up, climbed down off rock and buried himself in the sand! He is really much bigger than anything else I see on-line for stomatella - at least 2 inches - and now that I know he's not a killer, I think he's pretty cool. A couple more pics for anyone who might be interested.

[pagojoe]

Nooooo, that's not a Stomatella. It's a moon snail. If it's a Florida native, it's probably Naticarius canrena.

[Valantine]

Originally Posted by pagojoe

Nooooo, that's not a Stomatella. It's a moon snail. If it's a Florida native, it's probably Naticarius canrena.

Well crap! Wiki says "Naticarius canrena is a species of predatory sea snail" - I guess I should try and catch it again next time I see it. In the meantime, what might it eat - fish? Shrimp? other snails?

[pagojoe]

It eats other snails and clams.

[Valantine]

Thanks Pagojoe. Don’t have any clams, so could be worse. I’ll keep an eye on the snail population and try to get him out.

[eastlake]

you could try to lure it out with clams on the half shell. I had a kings crown for years, I know not the same thing, and that thing was a glutton for them.

[Valantine]

Originally Posted by eastlake

you could try to lure it out with clams on the half shell. I had a kings crown for years, I know not the same thing, and that thing was a glutton for them.

Thanks Eastlake. Sounds like good advice, I may try that. Checked around last nite and this am and no sign of him. I do think there are a few less Astria starfish and tiny nuisance snails this morning. :-/

[Valantine]

Caught the moon snail and got him OUT of my DT tonight!

Now, I don't know what to do with him. I know he's a killer in my tank, but does he deserve the death penalty? Should I freeze him and put him to death humanely or is there someone, somewhere that would give him a home - or maybe take him back out to the Gulf of Mexico and release him? I really don't like the idea of killing anything on purpose. Suggestions?

[Hadla]

Aw he’s pretty! Wish I could take him. Yeah if he’s native to the gulf, I’d release him instead of killing him

[Valantine]

Thanks, Hadla. Maybe I'll find someone closer who wants him.