Chiton ID Good or Bad

learn2reef · Jun 23, 2022

Is this a chiton? Is this type reef safe? Just arrived on a snail in the mail.

WheatToast · Jun 23, 2022

learn2reef said:
Is this a chiton? Is this type reef safe? Just arrived on a snail in the mail.

Gorgeous looking chiton! I have only heard of reef-safe chitons in the hobby (both hitchhikers and commercially available chitons) and the individual in the pictures resembles those that are sold to combat algae. However, I am not sure about the species, so I cannot say for certain that it is safe. Do you have a sump you could hold it in?

Sean Clark · Jun 23, 2022

I have never heard of a non reef safe chiton. Cool find.

learn2reef · Jun 23, 2022

Yeah, the chiton has really great colors! I am stoked about it (as long as it is reef safe). The zebra turbo snail it is attached to is massive at ~3” diameter, so I put them both in the sump for now.

DannoOMG · Jun 23, 2022

I actually ordered 2 chitons last year to add to my clean up crew. Both didn't survive the trip.

Sean Clark · Jun 23, 2022

I have only ever found one chiton before and I never saw it again. Is was about 1/2" long.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Jun 24, 2022

Sean Clark said:
I have only ever found one chiton before and I never saw it again. Is was about 1/2" long.

I've got tons of them! Tiny ones that come out at night :)

TangerineSpeedo · Jun 24, 2022

I believe it is a Chiton marmoratus (Marbled Chiton) . At first it looked like a temperate species. Chitons tend to be nocturnal, known as algae "farmers" prefer a smoother rock and tend to come back to their same "parking spot" during the day.