Any Clue Pls?

SCETT316 · 07-13-2001, 09:50 AM

Does any one have any clue as to what this is. I found it stuck to a snail, after the lights went out. I put it in a collection cup. I just want to know if it is reef safe, or should I leave it out. Pics are not the best. It looks like a snail out of the shell. It has little white hairs (?) all around it in the bottom.
Any input is appreciated.

SCETT316 · 07-13-2001, 09:55 AM

here are a few pics:

SCETT316 · 07-13-2001, 09:55 AM

SCETT316 · 07-13-2001, 09:57 AM

SCETT316 · 07-13-2001, 09:59 AM

sorry for all the post. having problems this am.

This is the bottom side.

SCETT316 · 07-13-2001, 10:00 AM

another pic. got to figure out how to post more than one pic @ a time.

Randy V · 07-13-2001, 10:27 AM

That is a chiton. They are good inhabitants for a reef tank. Inland Aquatics actually sells them. They cruise the glass/rock surfaces but also spend a lot of time under the sand.

Reinhold · 07-13-2001, 10:54 AM

I agree with Randy. It is a desirable creature. I wish I had a few.

Biomanjcs72 · 07-13-2001, 10:58 AM

Susan,

It does look like a chiton, if it has 8 bony plates across it's back (kind of like a Roly-Poly, or a pill bug), then it is, the pic is too OOF for me to tell, but as long as it has those plates, that's what it is.

**Ninong** · 07-13-2001, 11:43 AM

Susan ~

Looks like a chiton to me, too. They are harmless slow moving mollusks that graze on algae: http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/a...wb/default.asp

Ninong

SCETT316 · 07-13-2001, 11:55 AM

As usuall thx soooo much. I am sorry about the pics being so bad. It was late, it's a new camera, that I have still have not had much time to play with. (just got it this week) and of course I was a bit excited with the new discovery

But from the descriptions you have given me, it is definately a chiton.

I put the container inside the tank, so he can get back in, and continue to do his thing.

I love this hobby more everyday........ Something new all the time.

SCETT316 · 07-13-2001, 06:41 PM

Well......... I put the collection container in the tank this morning, in order for the chiton to go back in the tank, and he is in a corner stuck like with crazy glue or something. How do I get him out?
Thx

Randy V · 07-16-2001, 06:25 PM

You just have to give it time. You can't get them out. They are very very strong in their ability to hold onto a surface. The only thing you could do would be to sacrafice the container by cutting right around the chiton. They don't have much brain and they're very slow moving. It's going to be a while before it figures out how to get out of a five sided container.

SCETT316 · 07-16-2001, 06:53 PM

Thx for all the help. Well finally last night he must of figured out how to get out. This morning he was out of the container. LOL I also was thinking of breaking the container, but wanted to give him another day or so. Good thing he is back in the tank.

07-13-2001, 09:50 AM	#1
SCETT316 Mayor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 700	Any Clue Pls? Does any one have any clue as to what this is. I found it stuck to a snail, after the lights went out. I put it in a collection cup. I just want to know if it is reef safe, or should I leave it out. Pics are not the best. It looks like a snail out of the shell. It has little white hairs (?) all around it in the bottom. Any input is appreciated. __________________ Susan Last edited by SCETT316; 07-13-2001 at 09:54 AM.

07-13-2001, 09:55 AM	#2
SCETT316 Mayor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 700	here are a few pics: __________________ Susan

07-13-2001, 09:55 AM	#3
SCETT316 Mayor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 700	pic __________________ Susan

07-13-2001, 09:57 AM	#4
SCETT316 Mayor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 700	id __________________ Susan

07-13-2001, 09:59 AM	#5
SCETT316 Mayor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 700	sorry for all the post. having problems this am. This is the bottom side. __________________ Susan

07-13-2001, 10:00 AM	#6
SCETT316 Mayor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 700	another pic. got to figure out how to post more than one pic @ a time. __________________ Susan

07-13-2001, 10:27 AM	#7
Randy V Just Moved In Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 23	That is a chiton. They are good inhabitants for a reef tank. Inland Aquatics actually sells them. They cruise the glass/rock surfaces but also spend a lot of time under the sand.

07-13-2001, 10:54 AM	#8
Reinhold Mayor Join Date: May 2001 Location: USA Posts: 941	I agree with Randy. It is a desirable creature. I wish I had a few.

07-13-2001, 10:58 AM	#9
Biomanjcs72 Mayor Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Birmingham, Al, USA Posts: 815	Susan, It does look like a chiton, if it has 8 bony plates across it's back (kind of like a Roly-Poly, or a pill bug), then it is, the pic is too OOF for me to tell, but as long as it has those plates, that's what it is.

07-13-2001, 11:43 AM	#10
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 20,692	Susan ~ Looks like a chiton to me, too. They are harmless slow moving mollusks that graze on algae: http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/a...wb/default.asp Ninong __________________ Ninong

07-13-2001, 11:55 AM	#11
SCETT316 Mayor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 700	As usuall thx soooo much. I am sorry about the pics being so bad. It was late, it's a new camera, that I have still have not had much time to play with. (just got it this week) and of course I was a bit excited with the new discovery But from the descriptions you have given me, it is definately a chiton. I put the container inside the tank, so he can get back in, and continue to do his thing. I love this hobby more everyday........ Something new all the time. __________________ Susan

07-13-2001, 06:41 PM	#12
SCETT316 Mayor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 700	Well......... I put the collection container in the tank this morning, in order for the chiton to go back in the tank, and he is in a corner stuck like with crazy glue or something. How do I get him out? Thx __________________ Susan

07-16-2001, 06:25 PM	#13
Randy V Just Moved In Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 23	You just have to give it time. You can't get them out. They are very very strong in their ability to hold onto a surface. The only thing you could do would be to sacrafice the container by cutting right around the chiton. They don't have much brain and they're very slow moving. It's going to be a while before it figures out how to get out of a five sided container.

07-16-2001, 06:53 PM	#14
SCETT316 Mayor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 700	Thx for all the help. Well finally last night he must of figured out how to get out. This morning he was out of the container. LOL I also was thinking of breaking the container, but wanted to give him another day or so. Good thing he is back in the tank. __________________ Susan

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