Warning! Graphic! Limpet shell ripped off!

[TnFishwater98]

So my limpet was cleaning the water outage to a small HOP “refugium/live well. He’s been there a couple of days so I was going to move him. The top third of his shell had turn white from air exposure. As I was trying to dislodge him the top of his shell snapped. Will he die? I can see his actual body and some of its swollen. I feel awful & disgusted!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I believe it needs shell for protection
Although not a typical practice, I would attempt to place broken shell on top and coral putty or glue over it

 

[N.Sreefer]

You may be relieved to hear they can actually repair their shells.

Limpets know about the state of their stone-like shells and are capable to repair the lime, in case of damage

Stone-ideas.com is the worldwide magazine for architecture, design and art with natural stone.

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"The scientists discovered that the apex of a limpet’s shell acts like the "crumple zone" of a car, by taking the brunt of any major damage to protect what’s inside. What most surprised them, however, was that limpets that experience shell damage seem to know or sense this – and, unlike typical car owners – actively carry out repairs themselves, by depositing new biological material to repair structural weaknesses and restore former mechanical strength."

Not a guarantee it will survive but at least that gives some hope.