Coolest hitch hiker I've seen... Elephant Snail

[Mr Cob]

Found this guy in my 55g sump while pruning algae tonight. I have no idea how long he has been in my care, hidden. I have not added anything to this tank for awhile....especially the sump.

Gave me a good scare when I first noticed him next to my hand...lol

Scutis antipodes, aka Elephant snail.
more info: http://www.mesa.edu.au/friends/seashores/s_antipodes.html

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5651592449_4db2c92c28.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5651595703_c5f1b154f1.jpg

and released back into the sump, I wanted to add him to the display but not sure my melanurus wrasse will be able to keep his long beak off him....
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/5652288910_084284bd82.jpg

[Mike]

Very cool. I dig the wierd critters.

[justahobby]

So cool!

[Mr Cob]

yeah, apparently they get pretty big....like up to 6"!

[allan]

Man... your chaeto looks so pretty! :)

[Europhyllia]

Very cool!
And yes, had I picked up that critter with some algae I would have screamed too!

[Mr Cob]

lol Karin! I'm a big chicken when digging around in the sump. My wife gets a kick out of my little screams occasionally~!

Allan....the fuge/sump on my 55g is LOADED to the bone with chaeto. I do not run a skimmer on this system. Just live rock, DSB and a ton of macro. The sump is tall too so that I could have a huge fuge.

[allan]

I love that bright green look. Looks so healthy.

[justahobby]

What's the status on this guy?

[Mr Cob]

haven't seen him since....it's a packed fuge though, now that you ask I will keep an eye out for him. No digging around in the fuge though...I hate doing that, lol

[justahobby]

Don't blame you. I'm always afraid I will grab a handful of bristle worm.