Abstract: A device is disclosed for separating a floating layer mass, such as mud, foam and the like, from a liquid which resides in a liquid basin, e.g., a settling basin, and carries the floating layer. The device includes a transport device which moves the floating layer to a transport discharge region. The transport device is formed of at least one displacement body (3) which is driven by a drive unit (9) and moves the floating layer on the liquid surface towards the transport discharge region. The displacement body may be provided with a helical surface (4) which extends along the longitudinal axis of the displacement body.