Help with ID.. aquarium mystery

December 28, 2000
From: Tim Merkel

Hi everyone!
I am just starting a new reef tank and added some base rock from the LFS. This tank is 4 days old and I am in the process of starting the cycle. As I turned over the "dead" base rock before putting it into the tank my heart stopped. There was a black sluglike thing really, really close to my finger. After reading the information on the website I am not so afraid. :) As most of the slugs seem to require a specialized diet and I am just now starting the cycle on the tank would you recommend me taking it back to the fish store to give it a fighting chance?

Before I do could someone let me know what kind it is? It is just plain black and completely smooth. There does seem to be a 1/4 to 1/2 inch white dash/line down the middle of its back. I didn't see any other features as it is hiding in the shadows.

Any information you could give me would be appreciated. If you can identify it could you let me know what food it eats? I would like to tell the LFS.

Sincerely,
Tim Merkel

tecumseh@toast.net

Merkel,T., 2000 (Dec 28) Help with ID.. aquarium mystery. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3378

Dear Tim,
From your description I think you have a slug-like snail rather than a sea slug. Have a look at the information on Scutus and look at the other messages on the subject below yours. You will see that the white line is in fact part of the shell which is hidden by two flaps of the body.

Scutus seems to be quite good at hitching a ride on live rock. It should cause no problem in your aquarium and may in fact help keep the glass clean by grazing on algal growths.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Factsheet

Elephant Slug, Shield Slug, Ducksbill Limpet (Scutus sp.)

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