New Snail Type Thingamabobber

[chrisjj625]

These guys popped up a couple weeks ago. They almost look like baby snails, but they hang out above the water line. I have some astrea and certiths. This doesn't look like either of those. Super tiny maybe like have a pinky nail and I have probably 5 or so in the sump area and I put this guy in the display to see what he would do and he climbed out of the water. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Limpets....a good thing.

 

[Goaway]

Limpets....a good thing.

Agreed, don't kill it!

 

[chrisjj625]

Why are they out of the water then?? Shouldn't they be on my rocks foraging for algae?

 

[Isopod80]

You could have a type of "false limpet." They look very similar to typical true limpets but are a tidal species. If so, they don't breathe underwater and are likely up there waiting for the next high tide.

 

[chrisjj625]

You could have a type of "false limpet." They look very similar to typical true limpets but are a tidal species. If so, they don't breathe underwater and are likely up there waiting for the next high tide.

They are going to be waiting a long time haha. Any links to something like that?

 

[Isopod80]

I don't have any links but I can say that most false limpets from U.S. waters tend to have some degree of brown /dark patterning on the shell. If your limpet is solid white then it's probably one of the little keyhole types found in many reef tanks. Those are true limpets. Not sure why they'd be hanging out of the water. Are your parameters ok?

 

[chrisjj625]

I don't have any links but I can say that most false limpets from U.S. waters tend to have some degree of brown /dark patterning on the shell. If your limpet is solid white then it's probably one of the little keyhole types found in many reef tanks. Those are true limpets. Not sure why they'd be hanging out of the water. Are your parameters ok?

As far as I know. Everything is the tank is happy. Just noticed these limpets showing up and hanging above the water line. Thus, my original question of what the heck are these guys. I think it's super weird I have never seen them in the water.

 

[old salt reefer]

Look at them after lights out- that's when the "white" keyhole limpets I have come out in force. During the day they hide in the rocks and you'd never know I have them.

 

[Goaway]

You can look up Siphonariidae
False limpet. They will eat algae growing on water lines.

 

[chrisjj625]

You can look up Siphonariidae
False limpet. They will eat algae growing on water lines.

Thanks! That could be it, but it doesn't scream identical. I guess I will just have to wait and see what they do. They must be breeding because I keep seeing more, but they are so tiny.

 

[Goaway]

There's a lot of different species. So, looks won't always be the same. I just didn't know there were low tide ones. I learned something new today.

 

[chrisjj625]

Are we sure these things are ok. I have a ton now. Probably 20-30 that I know of. Here are some more pics.

 

[UnrealReefer]

Possibly chiltons