Can I get an ID on this ..?

[Jason mack]

hi reef2reef
Can I get an ID on this critter , not my yellow tail ... but that shell like thing .. it's definitely moving .. is it good or bad ? Should I remove ?

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

It's a limpet. They are generally okay, but all of my limpets live in the sump. Apparently, they love to scour the bases of golf ball corals.

 

[bruleyii]

limpet? honestly just a guess. Not even sure if people get them in aquariums.

It's a limpet. They are generally okay, but all of my limpets live in the sump. Apparently, they love to scour the bases of golf ball corals.

Edit: Beat me to it. lol

 

[Jason mack]

He doesn't seem too want too let go of the rock

 

[bruleyii]

I've seen videos of people harvesting these in the wild and there are 2 techniques to remove them from a rock. 1) Whack it with a rock. 2) Pry off with a butter knife.

These things get a hold and wont let go. Mostly because you find them in the surf breaks where the waves are crashing onto the rocks.

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

Limpet, I have 1 in my tank

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

He doesn't seem too want too let go of the rock

There's a trick that I learned on a nature program. I think it had to do with otters harvesting limpets or abalone. Grab the shell and give him a good twist before you try to lift him off. They can withstand strong straight-line forces, but they are no match for a twisting motion

 

[Roboson]

There's no reason to remove it, most limpets are reef safe. I'm not familiar with the different species, but you should try and get a firm ID before moving it. Some kinda of inverts would rather die than let go of the rock (which normally means death for them anyways).

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

There's no reason to remove it, most limpets are reef safe. I'm not familiar with the different species, but you should try and get a firm ID before moving it. Some kinda of inverts would rather die than let go of the rock (which normally means death for them anyways).

Every one of the limpets I've moved from the display tank to the sump have survived...and there are literally dozens. In fact, not only did they survive, but I have some that are about he size of a quarter lurking down in the sump.

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

The one I can see in my tank doesn't bother anything, I let him be

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

The one I can see in my tank doesn't bother anything, I let him be

That's what I would've done except that I have several golf ball coral colonies on the aquacultured live rock I bought. The limpets LOVE them some golf ball coral!

P.S. I don't actually think they eat the coral, but they rasp the base of the coral causing damage to polyps near the base. Collateral damage.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

How big is that?

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Some of the limpets in my sump are almost 2" long They are narrower than they are long, but they're pretty darn big!

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

That's what I would've done except that I have several golf ball coral colonies on the aquacultured live rock I bought. The limpets LOVE them some golf ball coral!



P.S. I don't actually think they eat the coral, but they rasp the base of the coral causing damage to polyps near the base. Collateral damage.

I would try to remove in that situation for sure!