Ultimate hitchhiker

[dizzy]

I haven't seen one of these guys in years. They look like a nudibranch, but I think it is actually a harmless cowry. (Correct me if I'm wrong.) They are a beautiful black velvet color. The strange thing is I haven't noticed this in the tank before and it is about 2" x 1.5" or it can look round. I think I remember seeing a picture of one in The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium Vol. I, but don't have a copy handy. Any information would be appreciated.

 

[Chucker]

Looks more like Scutus to me - a variation on a limpet theme.

 

[dizzy]

Chucker,

I believe you are right I just looked up Scutus antipodes in the Walls Encylopedia of Marine Invertebrates and there it was. They are really interesting and only seldom seen. Do you think they can be bred in the home aquarium?

I just wanted to attach one more photo. The Scutus seems to have found a spot it likes and has turned on its side where it appears to be filter feeding. It almost resembles a scallop. What appears to be an inhale siphon is visible near the mouth end. Even though it is capable of moving about rather briskly, I suspect it likes to hang out in one spot, which is why I haven't seen it before. It is truly a beautiful and fascinating creature.

 

[jeffsdesigns]

I have the same thing that came in off of a red sponge about 8 months ago.
He hasn't seemed to bother anything and plus he is cool to look at.
Seems he goes after algae.
He doesn't seem to bother any coral or inverts.

 

[dizzy]

Jeff,

There is a picture of one in The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium Vol. I by Nilsen and Fossa p. 188. They call it Scutus unguis. They say it can reproduce in the aquarium and that it eats algae and possibly from dead animals. I just can't understand how mine got that big before I noticed it. I feed that tank about five times a day and spent lots of watching it. I think this animal would be an excellent choice for aquaculture.

 

[Reefguide]

Got one myself on LR... I suspect he was in my tank about 1 month before I discovered it. Mine does travel quite a bit though. I researched it and was told it was (Scutus sp.) Elephant Slug, Shield Slug, Ducksbill Limpet).

Here she is !

 

[Reefguide]

Here found the link !!!

http://www.seaslugforum.net/scutus.htm[/url]