Mystery Sea Slug is Scutus

June 12, 2001
From: Marve Wiessner

I have a reef aquarium which I have purchased some live rock for. After a few months I have noticed a creature which resembles a snail type of animal. I was told that it may be a sea slug. It is probably the size of a quarter. It is totally Black with a white slit down its back. It seems to be more round than oblong. Its back is raised kind of like a hump. Its skirt or canopy covers it entirely including the head and antenna. It doesn't seem to be doing any harm. I am wondering if someone could lead me in a direction to find out a name and if it is an ok slug to leave in the tank. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Marve Wiessner

mwiess@poboxes.com

Wiessner, M., 2001 (Jun 12) Mystery Sea Slug is Scutus. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4557

Dear Marve,
Your description makes this an easy one to identify. It is a species of the slug-like snail Scutus. Have a look at the top of this page and the messages below yours for more information on this animal.

The white slit you see is in fact part of its flattened white shell which is almost completely hidden by skin flaps. It is a herbivore so rather than being a problem will probably be a help in keeping a green algal film from growing over rocks and the glass.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Jun 12). Comment on Mystery Sea Slug is Scutus by Marve Wiessner. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4557

Factsheet

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

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