ID please - Mystery crustacean, friend or foe?

[Sophie10]

I was doing a major water change and found these in the bucket after I dumped the water. They are about 2.5 x 1.5 mm. Without my glasses I thought they were flatworms, but clearly they are not. Anyone know what they are? Thanks!

 

[jsteele]

Lippit snails sorry if spelled wrong. They are Harmless

 

[Sophie10]

Thanks jsteele, they could be a limpet, but it's hard to say at this tiny stage. I don't see the characteristic hole on the top, but they are so small! Do they breed in home aquaria?

 

[SushiGirl]

Sand skaters. Harmless.

 

[NirvanaFan]

Chiton

 

[SushiGirl]

Sand skaters. Harmless.

http://www.melevsreef.com/id/skaters.html

This is a limpet.

This is a chiton (albeit a very "grown" one LOL).

 

[Hiltonc57]

Definitely a West Indian Chiton, aka a Fuzzy Chiton.

 

[NirvanaFan]

There are LOTS of different Chitons (almost 1000), both big and small. I had them in my tank that looked exactly like the ones in the first picture.

 

[SushiGirl]

I give up LOL.

 

[NirvanaFan]

I give up LOL.

I also said chiton because it is very common for them to have alternating colors on their outer girdle.

OP, how fast do these things move. Sand skaters move fast, and chitons are slow (like a snail).

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

the critters are Chitons- a small species. These are desirable algae eaters. IME they can form breeding populations and they are long lived.

 

[SushiGirl]

I don't see any valves (shell plates) on them. Sophie, can you get a closer pic? Also description would be good, such as how they move. Sand skaters don't always move fast. I've watched them crawl slowly around on frags in my tank.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Hi, Sue

Hi, Sue

I mean Sushi ! :fun2:

What's a "sand skater"? Some type of urchin or pod?

 

[SushiGirl]

It's a type of sphaeromatid isopod. I provided a link in my 2nd post.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I see

I see

thanks!

 

[Sophie10]

I don't see any valves (shell plates) on them. Sophie, can you get a closer pic? Also description would be good, such as how they move. Sand skaters don't always move fast. I've watched them crawl slowly around on frags in my tank.

Though it does look like the sand skater pic in the link you provided, it's definitely not zipping around. Can't get a closer pic. Had camera on macro, put the critters in a few ml's water and got as close as I could, then zoomed for the pic I posted.

Sure looks like a tiny chiton!
Thanks,
David
(Sophie is the old girl in the picture )

 

[Sophie10]

the critters are Chitons- a small species. These are desirable algae eaters. IME they can form breeding populations and they are long lived.

That's great news Gary! I hope there are many more in the tank! Thanks for the post.

I also said chiton because it is very common for them to have alternating colors on their outer girdle.
OP, how fast do these things move. Sand skaters move fast, and chitons are slow (like a snail).

Very slow, and adhere to the surface of whatever they're on, seems to be a chiton

Definitely a West Indian Chiton, aka a Fuzzy Chiton.

Thanks for the ID.

 

[NirvanaFan]

Here is an interesting fact about chitons. They show growth lines in their hard plates like trees show them in their wood. You can see them in the picture that SushiGirl posted.

 

[Stolireef]

Just watched my chitons (or maybe limpits) breed. They stretch out into the water column and release eggs/sperm. I had two of them doing it at the same time. It was very cool and the fish in the tank got an 'extra' feeding. I hope a few make it. This was my second breed this week (Cardinal were first). I dont' expect any survivors but I hope this means my H20 chemistry is pretty good. I guess I'll know more if the percula clows make whoopy (technical term)l

I could watch this type of thing all day. Good thing I have a job that lets me work from my house.Now, I just need good camera and someone who knows howto use itl

Oh. Well.