Snail ready for battle....I think

[lilreefer1975]

Ok I have 2 of these things in my tank I have watched them get bigger and bigger .....unfortunatly my camera isnt working so I will describe the best I can.

They are oval in shape with spikes all around the perimeter of their shell and they have a protective shroud around the bottom these things are pyramid shaped with a hole in the top that looks like were the waste is coming out.

Are these safe for my reef and what the heck are they?

 

[graveyardworm]

Sea Urchins?

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-11/rs/index.php

 

[lilreefer1975]

No they arent sea urchins , this I know they have a foot like a snail a oval shaped shell the shell has spikes all around the perimeter and they are shaped like pyramids or teepees with a hole in the very top that stuff comes out once in awhile. I am getting my friends camera hopfully I can get some pics up.

I've done searches all over RC and google and can't find anything that remotely looks like what I have.

 

[Sk8r]

limpets?

The best rule is on hitchhikers: crabs---most bad; snails---some few bad; worms---most good. A limpet is a bit of a mixed bag, but wouldn't worry me. Look up: limpet; chiton; astraea snail.

 

[graveyardworm]

Stuff coming out of a hole on top of the shell is throwing me off. Never seen a limpet with spikes. There is a Carribean species of Astraea which is flat and surrounded by spikes, but doesnt expell waste from a hole in the top.

 

[graveyardworm]

Here are some pics of some of the spiked astraeas I have.

 

[lilreefer1975]

OK I'm getting closer they do resemble a keyhole limpet but these things have prickley spikes..like I said they look like they are ready for battle.

So far looking at all the different limpets I haven't found the ones that are in my tank.

But if they are limpets should I get rid of them or are they harmless?

 

[Sk8r]

I'd put them in the sump if you've got one.
One thing about snails, they're easy to catch. I'd leave 'em in unless you've got something they could really devastate if they're harmful. They're not a cone, so they're not going to hurt fish. They may eat algae, which is good. Tell you who might know, is Leslie, in Invertebrates...really expert in worms, but might recognize it.

 

[graveyardworm]

Does it look like these at all?

http://www.gastropods.com/1/Shell_33281.html

http://www.gastropods.com/7/Shell_8107.html

 

[lilreefer1975]

Oh thats the lil buggers only imagine the spikes are actually sharp enough that they tear gloves, and they're strong picked up a huge chunk of LR trying to get one out.

Now the question is are the harmfull to my reef?

 

[graveyardworm]

As far as I know the limpets are all algae grazers so I would leave them in.

 

[lilreefer1975]

It seems they are eating the coraline algae ..not the other they only go on the rocks I never see them on the glass.