Chitons Boom!!!

[wperrette]

Over the past 6 months I have noticed the Chitons population go through the roof. I literally have 1 every 3 square inches. I searched the boards but found very little info on them. I have read just now that they eat Coralline!
I have been noticing that rock once covered w/ coralline is now bare and appears completely smooth.

Has anyone ever had this problem? Is it even a problem? If so, how do I keep their population in check (without it happening as a result of no coralline left)?

Thanks,
Bill

I attached a photo by:
John Rice

[RWD]

I have a couple in my tank but nothing like the ammount you describe . here's a little more info:
http://www.reefs.org/hhfaq/pages/mai.../faq_rock2.htm

[ldaiga]

I found one on my live rocks several months ago and it was also eating the coraline growth. I asked my lfs owner and she said if I wanted to keep the coraline growth, I needed to get rid of the chiton. I prefered the purple on my rocks over this little animal and pried him off the rock.
Liga