Hitchhiker mollusk - keep or kill?

[bc219]

culmen (Pseudosimnia)

This mollusk came as a hitchhiker on my carnation, actually this morning I found another one. I'm not sure if I should keep or kill them. I believe they're feeding on the carnation, which will die anyway, and I'd consider keeping them because they are so neat if they won't eat my other corals. Has anyone ever seen anything like this?

The pics below show it when I removed it from the tank, when you touch it it turns into a hard shell. The pics show it's progression as it covers itself with it's color and "tentacles" as I left it alone. The last pic I took from somewhere online and am not taking credit for it.

[bchnit1]

I checked my Baensch Atlas Vol 2 and found cypraea carneola, "Fox Cowry" Similar shell markings but a bit darker in color then your photo. Says it is an omnivore and eats algae, carrion and sponges. Should live fine in a mature tank. Don't know if it is the same but check out the pix on google.

[bc219]

Thanks for your input, it's clearly some sort of ovulid, and cowry. It's a cross between the one you posted and the one I referred to above. I feel better about leaving them now.

Thanks!

[icebear]

its so pretty, would be a shame to kill it if you don't have to.

[bc219]

Today I found another, so at this point I actually have two Maybe more who knows!

[D.J.]

that is a cool lookin snail...............deff would be a shame to kill them.......

[bchnit1]

It is beautiful. Glad it appears safe to keep. Good luck with them. The atlas also said they are nocturnal...might not get to see much of them.

[Emilyj817]

My hitch hikers never look cool, and always turn out to be bad. VERY LUCKY!

[Loverotties]

They are cool ,if they are good you should try to breed and sell them! I'd take some.

[bc219]

I think "good" is relative in this situation. I believe they are feeding on my carnation which will die anyway, however after extensive research I am starting to lean towards the belief that they are herbivores and shouldn't bother the rest of the corals. The first time one does though, death will come.

[Basile]

I've lived with a philosophy, if i don't know what they are, do or eat i get rid of them. Specially if i have them (captured) cause you don't know how they'll react with your bioload and how much they reproduce, maybe a pest or invasive 100 of them in a few months, what a chore to clean up your tank of them , maybe even redo the hole tank. Lots of money invested so why risk it with an experiment or chances.

Anyway thats my opinion.