New Creature

Question
I JUST set up my tank...yesterday, in fact. I have a 5 gal with live rock, shrimp, snails, crabs (hermit and sideways??) Anyway, today I found a very tiny creature stuck to the side at the water's top. It has a snail look to it from the outside of the tank. It has 3 legs like a triangle but the 3 legs are defined. That's really it. Do you have any idea what this is? I cannot find a picture of it anywhere. I am curious if it is safe or not, especially since my tank is so new and small. Also, did it just come off the rock? I appreciate any input you may have.

Thanks so much,
Carly

Answer
Hi Carly. From your description I can not tell exactly what you have in your tank. As far as I know there are no three legged live rock hitchhikers. Could you be seeing tentacles or could this creature be missing a few legs? Here is a good website to help you identify your creature.  http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchhikers.html         If you find something that even looks very close to it you are probably on the right track to discovering exactly what you have. For me to identify it I would need a better description. How tiny is it? Almost microscopic or larger than a pinhead? Color? Shape? Round and plump or flat? Oblong? Can you tell its mouth end from its backend? Could it be a limpet? Does it have a shell like a snail? Does it look at all like a small white bug? Most likely whatever it is you are seeing is a harmless creature that came in on your live rock. Sometimes it can take a little more detective work to figure out exactly what it is and with a little more info I can help you with this!