Is this a Limpet?

Gina · 02-03-2004, 06:41 AM

As the thread says...what do you think?

wooddood · 02-03-2004, 06:46 AM

it looks like it gina but kinda hard to tell for sure in that pic.maybe try another pic.sorry.

jojopus · 02-03-2004, 08:25 AM

Sure looks like a limpet to me. Do a goolge image search on limpet and youll see thats what it is.

RogueCorps · 02-03-2004, 09:07 AM

Hi Gina,

Yes it is a limpet. I had heard that they can sometimes have very sharp rasping mouth parts, so keep an eye on them in case you're using an acrylic tank.

Anthony Calfo spoke a bit about Limpets and Chitons at our local meeting a couple weeks ago also. He said that Chitons are almost all harmless and completely safe to have in our tanks. Limpets though can be not-reefsafe. Basically if it's grey to brown or not highly colored then it's likely safe. Any brightly colored limpets may be predatory or cause trouble. His words, "You can't be big, orange, squishy and be able to sit out in the open unless you have a good defense."

The one you've pictured looks just like ones that appeared in one of my tanks, lasted for quite a few years, then all disappeared. I doubt that it would cause any problems.

-Rogue

RanRoc · 02-03-2004, 09:39 AM

looks like one to me. If it has a hole at the top of shell, perhaps more specifically a keyhole limpet. I used to have a couple, but my (former) peppermint shrimp ate them. I saw one shrimp pulling out the limpet's "meat" from the hole at the top of the shell while it was moving trying to get away, literally eating it alive!
-RY

Witfull · 02-03-2004, 10:09 AM

yes, keyhole or chinamans hat limpet. reefsafe but as RC said can scratch acrylic.

NaH2O · 02-03-2004, 11:51 AM

I agree with the mass - Limpet. LOL - I wouldn't be me if I didn't give you a link though. I decided to do something different. This link is one I used to teach my 2 year old, so the information is very basic, but good none the less.

Limpet

Craig Manoukian · 02-03-2004, 12:56 PM

Key Hole Limpet. Look for the hole at the top of the shell.

Got 30 - 50 of them in my tank. Awesome algeavores and non-destructive. They came on my LR and hatched in my tank. Started as little bitties and in two years some have grown to the size of a quarter. You'll love 'em!

Gina · 02-03-2004, 04:27 PM

Thanks for all the replys. I had read that they are reef safe and a good thing to have. I just wanted to make sure this is what we have. When we first saw him a couple of months ago he was about the size of an eraser head. He is now about the size of a dime.

Witfull · 02-03-2004, 08:32 PM

oh, for any one who has spent time on Hawaiian rocky shores you have seen them...over there they are called Opihi.

NaH2O · 02-03-2004, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Witfull
they are called Opihi.

Wow, I have officially learned something new today. Thanks, Wit.

02-03-2004, 06:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,842 View Gallery Karma Komment	Is this a Limpet? As the thread says...what do you think? __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

02-03-2004, 06:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: marion. INDIANA Posts: 3,457 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	it looks like it gina but kinda hard to tell for sure in that pic.maybe try another pic.sorry. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

02-03-2004, 09:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
RogueCorps Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 108 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hi Gina, Yes it is a limpet. I had heard that they can sometimes have very sharp rasping mouth parts, so keep an eye on them in case you're using an acrylic tank. Anthony Calfo spoke a bit about Limpets and Chitons at our local meeting a couple weeks ago also. He said that Chitons are almost all harmless and completely safe to have in our tanks. Limpets though can be not-reefsafe. Basically if it's grey to brown or not highly colored then it's likely safe. Any brightly colored limpets may be predatory or cause trouble. His words, "You can't be big, orange, squishy and be able to sit out in the open unless you have a good defense." The one you've pictured looks just like ones that appeared in one of my tanks, lasted for quite a few years, then all disappeared. I doubt that it would cause any problems. -Rogue __________________ Aquarist - (retired)

02-03-2004, 09:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
RanRoc Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central Florida: GO KNIGHTS!!! Posts: 443 View Gallery Karma Komment	looks like one to me. If it has a hole at the top of shell, perhaps more specifically a keyhole limpet. I used to have a couple, but my (former) peppermint shrimp ate them. I saw one shrimp pulling out the limpet's "meat" from the hole at the top of the shell while it was moving trying to get away, literally eating it alive! -RY __________________ My Disclaimer for any Advice I Give: I Could Be Wrong... Randy's Rockin' Reef MANGROVE ROOT GANG

02-03-2004, 11:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
NaH2O Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,929 View Gallery Karma Komment	I agree with the mass - Limpet. LOL - I wouldn't be me if I didn't give you a link though. I decided to do something different. This link is one I used to teach my 2 year old, so the information is very basic, but good none the less. Limpet __________________ ~Nikki~

02-03-2004, 08:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
jojopus Tubeworm Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 28 View Gallery Karma Komment	Sure looks like a limpet to me. Do a goolge image search on limpet and youll see thats what it is.

02-03-2004, 12:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 19,012 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Key Hole Limpet. Look for the hole at the top of the shell. Got 30 - 50 of them in my tank. Awesome algeavores and non-destructive. They came on my LR and hatched in my tank. Started as little bitties and in two years some have grown to the size of a quarter. You'll love 'em! __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

02-03-2004, 04:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,842 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks for all the replys. I had read that they are reef safe and a good thing to have. I just wanted to make sure this is what we have. When we first saw him a couple of months ago he was about the size of an eraser head. He is now about the size of a dime. __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

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