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View Full Version : What is this critter/thing on my overflow?

Macimage
08/30/2009, 07:25 PM
Hi all,

I saw this on my overflow today. It's about 1.5" across:

http://www.studiodirectcosmetics.com/temp/thing1a.jpg

http://www.studiodirectcosmetics.com/temp/thing2a.jpg

Thanks!
Joyce
coral_lagoon
08/30/2009, 07:35 PM
A limpet.

What kind of liverock do you have?
Jay03GT
08/30/2009, 07:37 PM
I was gonna say a limpet also, but I've never seen one 1.5in across, though it may be possible.
Macimage
08/30/2009, 07:41 PM
Thanks!! It is definitely bigger than 1", it may be 1.25".

I have a mix of different rocks. There is Tonga branch, however, I don't remember what the other types of rock are.

Thanks!
Joyce
captain7359
08/30/2009, 07:49 PM
Chiton?
BuddhaKiss
08/30/2009, 08:23 PM
Na it's definitely a limpet. I've got them everywhere but none that big
Macimage
08/30/2009, 08:27 PM
Thanks everyone!

I Googled limpets and it certainly looks like one. Wikipedia says:

"The majority of limpet species have shells that are less than 3 in (8 cm) in maximum length and many are much smaller than that."

Thanks!
Joyce
noahm
08/30/2009, 08:31 PM
I have 3 or 4 from my aquacultured florida rock. One is close to 1 1/2". Pretty cool looking the way their mantle extends like a bedskirt.
Macimage
08/30/2009, 08:37 PM
Originally posted by noahm
I have 3 or 4 from my aquacultured florida rock. One is close to 1 1/2". Pretty cool looking the way their mantle extends like a bedskirt.

Yes, it's actually quite pretty (not that you can tell by my photo!) It's bright green, with a blue rim and some purple in the middle.

Neat critter!

I am glad I got the photos, as he's on the move.

Joyce
RobbyVonAwesome
08/30/2009, 08:40 PM
Yep, it's a limpet. I've seen coldwater species over 3" across. That's a pretty sweet hitchhiker!

BTW, it's not a chiton. Chitons have ridges in their shells that go from side to side. They look a little bit like pillbugs/rolliepollies or whatever those things are called in your part of the country.
thebanker
08/30/2009, 09:00 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15622459#post15622459 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobbyVonAwesome
Yep, it's a limpet. I've seen coldwater species over 3" across. That's a pretty sweet hitchhiker!

BTW, it's not a chiton. Chitons have ridges in their shells that go from side to side. They look a little bit like pillbugs/rolliepollies or whatever those things are called in your part of the country.

+1 on a limpet. Tons of those down here in local tidepools.