Limpets...Good or Bad?

[jules11vb]

I have what I think are keyhole limpets growing like crazy in my tank. They seem to keep the algae at bay and don't seem to harm anything. There are sooo many of them. Does anyone know much about them? Should I consider trading them for something else, since my tank is a factory of them? Any info or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks. The photo below just shows an example of what mine look like. I can probably get some photos of the ones actually in my tank.

 

[oceanparadise1]

they wont hurt anything idk if any one would trade anything for them thou

 

[Nate82]

good algae grazers

 

[cparka23]

I was under the impression that keyhole limpets are bad. The ones you have probably are something different. If you do try trading them, don't advertise them as the keyhole variety.

 

[treylane]

Scutus are a pretty cool limpet for reef tanks. They look awesome and are reef safe, though they don't seem useful in particular.

 

[sleeper]

If it keeps you from having to buy snails and hermits thats a plus. Stupid snails can't even turn themselves back over @&*!

 

[jules11vb]

Thanks cparka23, I read the article. It is funny that they will just climb out of the tank. Sometimes mine do hang out on the glass out of the water just near the top. As for them eating the coraline algae, I doubt it because I have alot of coraline algae in my tank. Its growing on my rocks and sand, etc. I do hope that they don't eat any zoas or shrooms though.

 

[paintballer768]

Youd be surprised but the actual keyhole limpets are coral eaters. The ones that you have are probably some similar species that is the safe, algae grazing type. If youre going to advertise them, call em limpets. Limpets graze on the filmy algae that is on the glass/acrylic that we scrape off.

Thanks cparka23, I read the article. It is funny that they will just climb out of the tank. Sometimes mine do hang out on the glass out of the water just near the top. As for them eating the coraline algae, I doubt it because I have alot of coraline algae in my tank. Its growing on my rocks and sand, etc. I do hope that they don't eat any zoas or shrooms though.

Limpets are can be found in intertidal ranges on the shores as well, so being out of the water for a short period of time is nothing.

 

[jules11vb]

I have looked at more "keyhole" limpet photos and I think that is exactly what I have. I'll try to upload photos of mine and maybe we can see what everyone else thinks. Most of them stay on the glass, but there are plenty of them that hang out on the live rock and on eachothers backs. Maybe that explains why I have so many...lol.

 

[normanbates]

hey jules how much for a handful? and could pick them up also, i live in hixson

 

[jules11vb]

Norman-will send pm

 

[spinoleo]

had a key hole limpet that liked to eat lps

 

[missionsix66]

Just to add. They are known to damage acrylic tanks.