sea-slug feeding on blue sea-star ?

Hallo ,

I've found this snail feeding ? on a blue sea-star during a night dive in Padre-burgos Philipines in about 5 mtrs.

Is this snail feeding ? I did some research and only found some mention about a clamp.

Can anybody help me out ?

Frank

Hi Frank -- It appears to be a eulimid or pyramidellid snail. Many species in both families are predators on echinoderms, sticking the proboscis through the skin in order to suck out body fluids. They're so small that they really don't hurt their prey unless there are hundreds of snails on one animal. Some species however have adapted to a parasitic way of life & live semi- or fully-permanently attached to the prey, either on the surface or internally.

Thanks Leslie