Smoking organism

[PRinFairfax]

Every so often this thing crawls out of a rock and produces what can only be called smoke.  It puffs along for about a minute every 10 seconds.

 

its maybe the size of a typical shirt button except elongated.

 

what the heck is it?

Edited February 25, 2019 by PRinWarrenton
Added 2nd photo

[VTBig053]

It looks like a stomatella snail to me. They are harmless and pretty good CUC members. I have them in my tank but have never seen them "smoke". When you say "smoke" do you mean it is releasing something into the water? 

[PRinFairfax]

Yes I have a short video of it but think it’s too large to upload here.   What is CUC?  Found this...  https://www.nano-reef.com/forums/topic/179488-my-stomatella-is-smoking/

Edited February 25, 2019 by PRinWarrenton

[VTBig053]

CUC = Clean up crew. 

 

Stomatella snails - http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/SwSnails/Stomatella.php 

 

Sounds like it is spawning in your tank. I haven't seen mine do this but I started with a single large one (must have been more I didn't see) now I have many. 

[ReefdUp]

Yup, definitely a spawning stomatella. They're great hitchhikers, and they can reproduce prolifically.

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[DFR]

Agreed, they’re stomatella.  I had 1 with a beautiful pink iridescent shell that eventually multiplied to like 15-20.  After my little spout with cyano, I managed to lose all of them to peroxide.  Now looks like limpets are taking their place