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:

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

Quote:

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

Quote:

Originally posted 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.

08/30/2009, 07:25 PM	#1
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	What is this critter/thing on my overflow? Hi all, I saw this on my overflow today. It's about 1.5" across: Thanks! Joyce

08/30/2009, 07:35 PM	#2
coral_lagoon Pushrod Powered Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Down The Corkscrew , CA Posts: 1,263	A limpet. What kind of liverock do you have?

08/30/2009, 07:37 PM	#3
Jay03GT Registered Member. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lakeland, Fl Posts: 606	I was gonna say a limpet also, but I've never seen one 1.5in across, though it may be possible.

08/30/2009, 07:41 PM	#4
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	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

08/30/2009, 07:49 PM	#5
captain7359 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Irondequoit, NY Posts: 2,182	Chiton?

08/30/2009, 08:23 PM	#6
BuddhaKiss Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 1,068	Na it's definitely a limpet. I've got them everywhere but none that big

08/30/2009, 08:27 PM	#7
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	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

08/30/2009, 08:31 PM	#8
noahm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,736	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.

08/30/2009, 08:40 PM	#10
RobbyVonAwesome Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 394	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.