Chiton spawning... it does exist

[dreaminmel]

So a while back on RDO I had mentioned in a thread that the chiton I have in my tank occasionally spawn soon after lights go back to actinic in the evening and no one there believed me... but NOW I have a digital camera so ya'll can be my witnesses. They all come out of the rocks and proceed to stick their rear ends up and (depending on gender) either release strings of eggs or a stream of milky substance. Butt waggling I think was what someone on RDO had termed it and had wanted a pic. I don't go there much anymore so you guys get the pic.

Smack dab in the center... this one just got done releasing eggs. Ain't she a beaut?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Looks like a Stomatella from here.....

Can you get another pic of the beast's backside?

 

[dreaminmel]

This is what they look like from above Gary. Everything I found on the net that looked like this was labeled as a chiton.

The "after party"

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Chitons for sure. Good eye. Congrats. :smokin:

 

[Namyar]

What to Chitons do for the tank or arre they just there

 

[dreaminmel]

I'm assuming they perform a similar function to the bristleworm but really don't know for sure. I'm sure the spawning action, however, is food for something else in the tank which is fine by me.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Chitons are herbivores.

 

[Stephany]

That's wicked cool Melanie. I'm almost positive I have two of the same kind in mine, that'd be neat if they spawned. You've got a buttload of 'em. lol

I think the chiton I have eats coralline algae. He'll make a little bare road where he's eaten but they're not noticeable unless you look for them.