Limpets

[parker313]

I've got a bunch of limpets in my tank... There used to just be one or two, but now there are several of them. They're teeny tiny. I've tried doing some research but am not finding much, but what I'm finding is pretty mixed - some places say they're good, some places say they're neutral and some places say they're bad.......

They seem to be plain limpets, not keyhole, if that makes a difference.

Thanks
--Kristin

 

[Navarre]

I have some in my tank.. never beena problem. If i see them on the main glass however i will wipe them off before they get too attached.

 

[Riley]

What exactly is a limpet?

-Riley

 

[Opcn]

Have you ever seen an old movie with chinese railroad workers, or any movie about vietnam or olden day china? well, if you have you have probably seen the wide and short cone shaped hats that they wear, limpets shells look like those hats, inside of the shell you have a critter very similar to a snail. Limpets are good algea eates but most species will munch right on through your SPS corals.

 

[parker313]

Have you ever seen an old movie with chinese railroad workers, or any movie about vietnam or olden day china? well, if you have you have probably seen the wide and short cone shaped hats that they wear, limpets shells look like those hats, inside of the shell you have a critter very similar to a snail. Limpets are good algea eates but most species will munch right on through your SPS corals.

That's a pretty good description

Thanks for the input Navarre & Opcn. I don't have any SPS and they haven't touched my softies at all.

 

[Riley]

ohhh thanks

-Riley

 

[Mr Miagi]

Id concur, limpets are good! Their diet consist of algae, cyano, and macros. So id say your safe. They can cut holes in your rock work. They do this to remain relatively undisturbed my wave motion and predators in the inetrtidal zones. I dont think that would be a major problem, but i wouldnt let them remain on glass too long.

Ive got some which came from my LR too. Very slow movers, but interesting non the less.

 

[Opcn]

Miagi, would you like me to find a reutable source to prove to you that most limpets eat sps? softies and LPS are not SPS and as a result are not eaten, but limpets really will mow down acroporas in many cases.

 

[Mr Miagi]

Miagi, would you like me to find a reutable source to prove to you that most limpets eat sps? softies and LPS are not SPS and as a result are not eaten, but limpets really will mow down acroporas in many cases.

Go for it. I didnt know that. Although i never mentioned SPS or LPS in my previous post. I also do know thr difference dude. There is also evidence that limpets are herbivorous.

As long as they havnt and dont touch Parker313's.

 

[ostrow]

If it is eating SPS, LPS, etc, then it is not a limpet.

If it is a limpet, then be happy! I've been trying to buy or acquire them for a while! Keyhole limpets in particular are great, great algae grazers.

 

[parker313]

If you want some, let me know! I've got plenty. They're pretty small so I don't know how well they'd travel, but it's worth a shot. I've gone from just one or two to many more than that...

FWIW, I don't have any SPS or LPS corals, just softies and no, the limpets don't touch them.

Oh, and some of them do appear to be keyhole limpets, but I don't think all of them are (they're small and it's kinda hard to tell still).

 

[ostrow]

Too bad it's getting cold. To ship now you'd need a styrofoam box and a heat pad in there.

They ship well: just wet some plain brown paper towel in the tank water, put it in a bag and put in the snails. Double-bag the bag and you are done.

 

[parker313]

Too bad it's getting cold. To ship now you'd need a styrofoam box and a heat pad in there.

They ship well: just wet some plain brown paper towel in the tank water, put it in a bag and put in the snails. Double-bag the bag and you are done.

If you're still interested when the weather warms back up in the spring, just let me know and I can send some to you USPS Priority for just the cost of postage.