Creature ID

[brewercm]

I just saw this thing for the first time, it appears to be some sort of snail because I could see the mouth feeding a little bit on the edge of the rock. It won't come all the way out so I can take a look and the shell that I can see appears to be flat in front from what I can see anyways.

Here's the best pic I could get at the moment, he's tucked in the hole above the anenome.

http://users.aol.com/brewerch66/private/snail.jpg

[Tim Marvin]

I beleive I am seeing a chiton, but I don't see it really clear.

[brewercm]

Here's maybe a better picture of it.

http://users.aol.com/brewerch66/private/snail2.jpg

[brewercm]

After reading the posts I went and did some research on both. From what I could see of it in the rock it appears more like the stomatella variety. The articles said they could get up to 3/4 inch long. this one was probably about a total of 1/2 inch I would guess. They did say they reproduce quickly and this is the first I've seen of it. My newest LR is probably at least a year old, well unless it came on a rock with a frag by chance.

I guess if that is what it is it appears to be OK. I did notice this morning he wasn't where I could see it at the hole anymore but talk about a clean section of rock now.

[Jenn]

Thumbs up Josh, way to go!!!

[brewercm]

Here's a new picture I was able to take tonight. Definately stomatella from the pages I've found on the subject. I guess it hitchhiked somewhere along the way and stayed hidden well for quite a while. By the way when it spreads out the body of this thing is enormous compared to the shell.

http://users.aol.com/brewerch66/private/snail3.jpg

[Tim Marvin]

Stomatella definately! Pretty shell also. You probably have hundreds of them and don't even know it. Way to go Josh.