Limpets

[WireTech]

Saw these in my tank last night. Not great pictures I know. Thought they might be some kind of Limpet. Anyone have an idea what they might be? Thank you.

 

[Betta132]

Are you sure they're limpets, and can you get a better photo? They look more like star snails.

 

[WireTech]

Are you sure they're limpets, and can you get a better photo? They look more like star snails.

No. I'm not sure they're limpets. That is why I asked. I had never seen a star snail so looked it up. The shells are definitely star shaped. However if you look at my poor pictures the foot is "star" shaped unlike a star snail.

 

[pagojoe]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure they are this:

You normally find them grazing the diatoms and other microorganisms off of sea grass.

http://www.gastropods.com/3/Shell_323.shtml

Cheers,




Don

 

[WireTech]

I may have confused things in post #3. I was talking about having looked up what a star snail looked like. What is in my tank looks like an asterina star with a small shell on its back. No tube feet though.

 

[pagojoe]

Ah, Slipper Shells. There are about 5 or 6 genera that are all called "Slipper Limpets" or "Hoof Shells" or "Cap Shells," and nearly that many families. They aren't all closely related to each other, and they aren't really limpets, even if they are called that. They are scavengers.

Cheers,



Don

 

[Dkuhlmann]

What an awesome snail. Thanks for sharing

 

[WireTech]

Thank you for all the input. Hopefully I'll get a chance to get a better look at them. Last night they were nowhere to be found.

 

[Shawn O]

Slipper shells are the most common shells washed ashore inside the bays just south of Boston. More common than Quahog shells. Never seen a live one.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Slipper shells are the most common shells washed ashore inside the bays just south of Boston. More common than Quahog shells. Never seen a live one.

We get pin shell that wash up in the Gulf of Mexico and many have slippers attached to them. I brought a few home from a beach walk and 2 out of 3 survived and are still alive after 3 months.