Scientific Name: Stomatella varia
Classification: Mullusca
Common Names:
Description:
Stomatella look like a cross between a snail and slug. Their shell is fairly
flat and inconspicuous compared to most snails. They are brownish green in
color and seem to stay under about 3/4" in length. Stomatella can
move very quickly for a snail.
Good
or Bad?:
Stomatella are good additions to the reef
tank. They are herbivores and feed upon micro algae in the reef
tank.
Notes:
Stomatella are active day or night, but come out mostly at night and
are fairly secretive during the day. A look at the tank walls
after dark with a flashlight will usually spot this critters if they
are present in the tank. They will reproduce in the reef tank,
but don't seem to reach nuisance population levels. Breeding has
been observed during the daytime with all individuals climbing up to
high points on the live rock and simultaneously releasing their eggs
and sperm into the water. This can cause the tank water to look
milky for a short time, but is nothing to worry about. The
filter feeders get to eat well when this occurs.