Mystry Hich-hiker

[Ikarus5150]

I got a new piece of live rock. 4 days later noticed somthing crawling out of a hole in the rock. It is a really dark blue almost black. it is almost oval shaped (1/2 " wide and 1 1/2" long) it has a shell like white stripe down its back, antenna about 1/4" long. I suspect it is a type of Nudi branch or sea slug. but maybe somone could tell me if it is reef safe. or what it eats. a name. so I could learn more about it. Thank you in advance for any help you may provide. ~mark

 

[Anonymous]

It sounds like a Scutus sp. a common, mostly harmless omnivore. They feed primarly on algae but there have been reports of them feeding on coral polyps. I wouldn't worry about it.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[Anonymous]

Just to add a less technical description for you, it sounds like an Elephant Slug, actually a type of Black Skirted Limpet. The white stripe is just the shell peeking through the skirt.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=scutus

 

[Anonymous]

Cool I want one!