trochus snail question

[drew2582]

A few nights ago i noticed what i thought to be a "huge" baby snail on the side of my tank. Considering it had no shell, I thought it to be a baby snail but considering its apparent mature size i didnt know what to think. My tank has 25 trochus snails and 3 turbo snails in it. The next day after my tank light turned on i noticed one of my trochus snails tipped over. Well when i went to go and flip him over he was completely empty inside. All i have in my tank are a yellow tang, bicolor blenny, scooter blenny, flame hawk fish. Now, Is it possible that the trochus snail, after being tipped over for some time, unattached itself from its shell?????? is that even possible???? I know to some of you this is gonna look like a really stupid question but im no snail expert.

appreciate your help
drew

 

[OrionGirl]

Nope, snail shells are attached--the snail coming out of the shell is lethal.

What you might have seen is a stomatella--they are in the same family, but only have a little flat chip as a shell, and it is buried inside their mantle. Also could have been a flat worm--there are a number of kinds, many harmless, that can come in on live rock.

For the emtpy shell--any hermit crabs in there? Hawkfish can go after snails, but tend to prefer shrimp.

 

[drew2582]

yea ive got some very little blue legged hermits in there. They are tiny though.